Dubai-based tech company Globant has released a report titled “Move Your But,” focusing on how AI can revolutionise the healthcare industry. With the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) healthcare market projected to reach US $135.5 billion by 2027, and AI expected to inject US $320 billion into the Middle East economy by 2030, the report underscores the urgent need for AI adoption.

The report identifies the rising costs of healthcare data breaches, which averaged US $10.93 million per incident in 2023, as a driving force for implementing AI-based security measures. AI could streamline data management, improve patient care, and enhance operational efficiency across the GCC.

The report also highlights that 62 per cent of global healthcare organisations cite data silos as an obstacle to AI implementation. AI’s ability to integrate disparate data sources could increase data processing speed by 50 per cent, significantly improving patient care in the GCC, where telehealth and digital health initiatives are rapidly advancing.

With telehealth in the Middle East and Africa expected to grow to US $22 billion by 2030, AI’s role in the healthcare sector is poised to expand, revolutionising patient care, operational efficiency, and data security across the region. The collaboration between public and private sectors will be crucial in balancing innovation with necessary regulations to maximise AI’s benefits.

You may also like:

• MHRSD to localise 4 key healthcare roles by 2025
• Digital fatigue among employees opens door to Cyberattacks?
• Maan Fatani on role of HR in reshaping workforce, culture and business
• What does having women on the board really mean?

Federico Pienovi, Globant's CEO for APAC and MENA, stressed the importance of overcoming challenges in AI adoption, including data management hurdles and regulatory compliance. He noted that AI offers transformative potential, saying, "From AI-driven personalised treatment plans to virtual health assistants, we're witnessing a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery across the Gulf. With the Middle East and Africa telehealth market projected to reach $22.0 billion by 2030, our region's potential for AI-driven solutions is immense."