UAE develops national AI health policy framework

The UAE is building a comprehensive national policy to govern AI adoption in healthcare. The Ministry of Health and Prevention held a workshop in Dubai last month to draft guidelines that will shape how smart health services roll out across the country.

The policy focuses on data quality, privacy protection and measuring real impacts on patient care. Government officials, universities and major tech companies including Microsoft, Dell and Huawei participated in the planning sessions.

How does it work?

The policy rests on eight core pillars. These include stronger governance structures, better data sharing between health organizations, and expanded AI applications in medical practice. The framework also calls for improved digital infrastructure and cybersecurity measures.

Health professionals will receive training on new AI tools. An ethics framework will ensure transparency in how these technologies make decisions about patient care. The policy also promotes research partnerships and information systems that support smart healthcare delivery.

Working groups at the workshop developed specific recommendations for implementation. They focused on creating measurable outcomes and practical steps that health organizations can actually follow.

Why does it matter?

AI could make healthcare more accurate and efficient across the UAE. The policy aims to create consistency in how different health authorities adopt these technologies. This should build public trust in smart health services while improving patient experiences.

Dr. Hussain Al Rand from the Ministry said the framework will help the UAE's digital transformation goals. "We want to create a more proactive and sustainable health system," he explained during the workshop.

The policy also addresses practical concerns like funding models and investment in health startups. Dr. Lubna Al Shaali noted that discussions covered how to integrate smart health concepts into broader national policies while ensuring sustainable financing.

The context

The UAE has been pushing digital transformation across government services for several years. Healthcare represents one of the most complex sectors to digitize because of privacy concerns and safety requirements.

Other countries are grappling with similar challenges as AI becomes more capable in medical diagnosis and treatment planning. The UAE's approach brings together multiple stakeholders from the start rather than letting adoption happen piecemeal.

Representatives from Abu Dhabi's Department of Health, Emirates Health Services, Dubai Health Authority and several universities joined the planning process. The inclusion of international expertise, including Professor Richard Hobbs from Oxford's Institute for Digital Health, suggests the UAE wants its framework to meet global standards.