The Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) has partnered with MBZUAI and Core42 to launch the Global AI Healthcare Academy. The academy will provide AI training to healthcare workers in Abu Dhabi, aiming to improve diagnostics, operational efficiency, and patient care. The initiative includes mass training sessions for up to 100 attendees and customized courses in areas like AI for radiology and cardiology. Why it matters: This partnership signals a strategic push to integrate AI into Abu Dhabi's healthcare system, potentially establishing the emirate as a leader in technology-driven healthcare.
MBZUAI's Dr. Mohammad Yaqub is developing AI algorithms to power point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) on mobile devices, expanding on his prior work on an AI-based fetal anomaly system used in GE Healthcare's ultrasound. These algorithms aim to make smaller, affordable PoCUS devices accessible in remote areas for faster diagnoses. The handheld devices, costing around $5000 USD, can connect to mobile devices and provide intelligence to interpret images, addressing the shortage of specialists in remote locations. Why it matters: This initiative democratizes access to critical diagnostic tools, potentially saving lives by enabling early detection of life-threatening conditions in underserved communities.
MBZUAI's first Ph.D. graduate, Numan Saeed, developed deep learning models to diagnose head and neck cancers using PET and CT scan imagery. His research focused on improving early detection and accurate localization of tumors, aiming to enhance diagnosis and prognosis. Early diagnosis can reduce mortality rates by up to 70%. Why it matters: This research showcases the potential of AI in healthcare to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, addressing a critical need in resource-constrained healthcare systems.
The article discusses how AI is transforming healthcare, aviation, and agriculture. MBZUAI has launched the Institute of Digital Public Health (IDHP) and partnered with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Core42 to launch the Global AI Healthcare Academy. MBZUAI has also partnered with Etihad Airways to explore AI applications in aviation and with Silal to bring AI innovation to agriculture and food production. Why it matters: These initiatives signal the UAE's commitment to becoming a global AI hub by integrating AI across key sectors and fostering innovation through strategic partnerships.
MBZUAI is highlighting five female leaders in AI for International Women’s Day, noting its 28% female student body. Dr. Farida Al Hosani is developing an AI healthcare solution for non-communicable diseases and was appointed VP of MBZUAI’s Alumni Advisory Board. Dr. Hanan Aldarmaki focuses on improving Arabic automated speech recognition and recently won an award for a paper on Arabic speech processing. Why it matters: Showcasing women in AI leadership helps promote diversity and inclusion in the field, especially in the context of the rapidly growing AI ecosystem in the UAE.
MBZUAI and the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) jointly hosted the inaugural Human Phenotype Project Hackathon in Abu Dhabi, focusing on AI-driven healthcare solutions. 24 postgraduate students and researchers analyzed "real data" from a deep-phenotype multi-omic biobank to develop personalized and predictive analytics. The hackathon utilized data from WIS and Pheno.AI’s Human Phenotype Project (HPP) in Israel, marking the first time an international university has been granted access to this data. Why it matters: This collaboration demonstrates the growing emphasis on leveraging AI for healthcare innovation in the UAE and fostering international partnerships to address global health challenges.