Abu Dhabi DoH enters into three agreements to advance AI & innovation in healthcare

Abu Dhabi is turning up the dial on digital health. The Department of Health (DoH) has inked three landmark MoUs with Capgemini, Statista, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Together, they aim to push artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and innovation deeper into the Emirate's healthcare DNA. The move positions Abu Dhabi not just as a healthcare provider, but as a living laboratory for global health innovation.

"By working hand in hand with our partners, we continue to unlock new opportunities where data, cutting-edge technology and science come together to deliver meaningful impact for patients," said Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of DoH.

How does it work?

Each partnership brings a different piece of the puzzle.

• With Statista: DoH will create a unified system for measuring hospital quality, improving visibility and benchmarking performance internationally. This includes featuring Abu Dhabi hospitals in Newsweek and Statista's World's Best Hospitals ranking — a global stage for healthcare excellence. Over time, this framework will expand to include more metrics, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's push toward transparent, data-driven standards.
• With Capgemini: Expect AI to go to work behind the scenes. The collaboration focuses on building AI models that can detect fraud, waste, and inefficiencies — helping the health system run cleaner and smarter. It also integrates AI insights into everyday workflows and policymaking, backed by strong governance to ensure alignment with UAE laws and international ethics standards.
• With MBZUAI: This one's all about the frontier. Together, they'll explore AI applications in genomics, precision medicine, robotics, and even brain-computer interfaces. The goal is to weave advanced technologies into the health fabric while nurturing Emirati talent capable of carrying this digital transformation forward.

Why does it matter?

Healthcare isn't just about treating illness anymore — it's about predicting, preventing, and personalizing care. Abu Dhabi's new alliances lay the groundwork for that shift. By embedding AI and data into the system, hospitals can spot problems faster, improve outcomes, and make smarter policy decisions in real time.

Dr. Al Ghaithi put it best: "We're reinforcing the foundations of an intelligent and resilient health system that puts people first."

In practice, this means:

• Greater transparency for patients and providers alike
• More efficient healthcare operations
• Policies shaped by live data, not hindsight
• And, ultimately, a higher standard of care across the board

The context

The UAE has long bet big on technology as a driver of progress — from self-driving cars to space missions. Now, healthcare is taking its turn in the spotlight. Globally, the industry is in a race to integrate AI, and Abu Dhabi is sprinting ahead.

The DoH's multi-partner strategy ties directly into its vision of building "the world's most intelligent and sustainable healthcare system." By joining forces with industry heavyweights and AI pioneers, Abu Dhabi isn't just catching up with global trends — it's aiming to set them.

In a world where innovation often moves faster than regulation, this trio of agreements signals something rare: ambition with accountability. And that might just be the healthiest prescription for the future.