Saudi Arabia to launch world’s largest AI physician clinical trial

Saudi Arabia is setting the stage for what could be the world's largest experiment in digital medicine. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has greenlit a landmark initiative: the AI Physician Clinical Trial. Launched by HUMAIN, the national AI company, in partnership with Lean Business Services and the Ministry of Health, the trial promises to redefine preventive care. Announced at the Global Health Exhibition 2025 in Riyadh, the project aims to help citizens take better care of themselves — sleep better, eat smarter, and move more — and in doing so, curb chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

As one official put it, the goal is "to empower people to live healthier lives while strengthening national research and healthcare innovation."

How does it work?

At its heart, the trial will put artificial intelligence to the test in real-world preventive healthcare. HUMAIN's AI system, built on its HUMAIN One operating platform, acts as a digital doctor. It's designed to unify data from hospitals, clinics, and individuals into a single intelligent layer that supports decision-making, improves visibility, and ensures secure, compliant care. Think of it as a bridge between humans and data — where algorithms listen, learn, and guide patients toward healthier habits before diseases take hold.

Lean Business Services, another arm of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, will handle the digital backbone. The company's expertise in AI and analytics is expected to enable a proactive model of care — where prevention replaces reaction. Together, these systems aim to create a living national database, one that fuels scientific research and helps shape the country's future health strategies.

Key facts:

• Approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)
• Led by HUMAIN and Lean Business Services, both owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF)
• Focused on preventive care, not treatment
• Designed to reduce chronic disease rates and support scientific research

Why does it matter?

Because prevention is cheaper — and smarter — than cure. Saudi Arabia spends billions on chronic disease management, and conditions like diabetes already affect nearly a quarter of its adult population. If AI can help people adjust their lifestyles early, the ripple effect could transform national health outcomes. Beyond cost savings, it's about autonomy: giving people control over their health, one digital prompt at a time.

The trial is also significant for what it represents — a regulator-approved experiment where AI isn't just assisting doctors but actively guiding care decisions. That's uncharted territory for most of the world. As one insider said, "This isn't about replacing physicians — it's about extending their reach and helping them focus on what really matters."

The context

Saudi Arabia's healthcare system is undergoing a major reform. The government plans to open 30 new hospitals, upgrade 200 more, and shift nearly 300 into private operation as part of its Vision 2030 transformation. With a healthcare market projected to reach $38.5 billion and government health spending expected to exceed $69 billion, the ambition is clear: to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and technology-driven.

Yet, the challenges are steep. Diabetes, hypertension, and thalassemia are widespread — diabetes alone affects 23 per cent of adults, and half of those cases go undiagnosed. Without targeted, data-driven action, those numbers will continue to climb. By 2050, the Kingdom could face nearly 10 million cases of diabetes.

That's why this AI trial matters. It's a statement that Saudi Arabia isn't waiting for the global health industry to catch up — it's leading from the front. In a region long defined by oil, this move signals a shift toward data as the next national asset, with health as its most human dividend.