Revolutionizing healthcare with AI

At KPMG's digital health breakfast, healthcare leaders gathered to explore how AI can be used responsibly to enhance clinical care and patient outcomes. They emphasized the need for ethical application and patient-centric solutions. Stakeholders engaged in a rich dialogue about the current state, challenges, solutions, and the way forward for AI in healthcare.

Stakeholders discussed how AI in healthcare has primarily focused on improving operational efficiencies. Public health systems in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are using AI to streamline administrative tasks. These systems are employing AI to standardize patient records and for nursing support. AI is also being utilized in Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) to enhance coding efficiency.

Despite these advancements, only 25% integration of AI is currently observed within the regional health system. Stakeholders highlighted several ongoing challenges. Governance and security remain critical, with patient safety as the top priority. However, AI innovation is moving faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt, particularly in diagnostics, where radiology departments are early adopters but face inconsistent regulations. Ethical use of AI and strong governance are seen as essential to building patient trust. Additionally, the limited adoption of telemedicine in the UAE underscores a lack of trust and advocacy, rather than digital illiteracy or poor user interface.

To overcome these challenges, stakeholders agreed on several solutions. They highlighted that AI could be leveraged for cost and speed efficiencies across both public and private health systems. Public health systems are focused on using AI to support frontline workers, improve diagnostics, and reduce administrative burdens. These initiatives help build trust and provide a model for broader adoption.

Private healthcare providers are piloting AI for customized clinical decision support in chronic disease management. Stakeholders discussed how these programs demonstrated the effective application of AI when aligned with regulatory standards. Customizing AI to meet specific patient needs and fostering trust through targeted pilot programs were emphasized as key steps to drive wider adoption.

The way forward for AI in healthcare involves collaborative innovation and alignment among stakeholders. Unified regulations are crucial for ensuring safe and widespread AI adoption. Building trust through ethical use, transparency, and maintaining the human touch will be key to overcoming current barriers. By recognizing different stages of tech adoption and focusing on scalable solutions, operators can leverage AI to seismically transform healthcare, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes while preserving empathy and patient-centric care.

Krritee Batra
Manager, Healthcare Strategy