Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence: The UAE supports global health innovation
ABU DHABI, April 7, 2017 (WAM) – The Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence confirmed that the UAE continues to consolidate its position as a global center for innovation in the health sector, benefiting from an advanced digital infrastructure and a forward-looking vision that supports the use of modern technologies, most notably artificial intelligence, to improve the quality of health care and enhance its outcomes at the level of individuals and society.
Professor Mohammed Yacoub, associate professor in the Department of Computer Vision at the university, said in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the occasion of World Health Day, which falls on April 7 of each year, that the UAE has a proactive vision that places it at the forefront of global health innovation, supported by the “National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031” and an advanced digital infrastructure, in addition to the Emirati Genome Program, which includes more than 800 thousand genetic sequences, and is considered one of the most prominent genomic databases in the world, pointing out Ensuring that these tools are transformed into approved clinical systems that are practically applied and actually integrated into health practice, which requires continuous cooperation between research institutions, health care providers, and regulatory authorities.
He added that in this regard, the role of the university is highlighted in working at this dividing point between research and application, by producing scientifically sound research based on clinical reality, in addition to preparing a new generation of researchers who are able to move efficiently, and the country has the capabilities, ambition, and infrastructure that qualifies it for leadership in the field of artificial intelligence and its practical applications.
He stressed that artificial intelligence in the medical field does not aim to replace medical personnel and clinical expertise, but rather to expand its scope and enhance its impact. For example, in the field of radiology, smart systems trained on a huge data set are now matching, or approaching, the performance of specialists in specific tasks. Such as detecting tumors in their early stages, and segmenting anatomical structures in MRI scans, and most importantly, they can perform their role continuously even when dealing with large numbers of cases, compared to human fatigue, which may lead to increased possibilities of error.
He added that artificial intelligence also improves clinical decision-making at the site of care provision. The true value of artificial intelligence tools in the health sector does not lie in independent systems that make individual decisions, but rather in tools that support the doctor with the appropriate information at the right time, reduce the mental burden, and help doctors focus their attention where the need is greatest.
He explained that Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence has implemented many innovative projects, initiatives and models in the field of health care, including “FetalCLIP”, the first foundational model designed specifically for analyzing images of fetuses. This model was developed in cooperation with the Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi. “FetalCLIP” has achieved exceptional results, as it recorded a score of 87.1% on the “F1” accuracy index in classification tasks, outperforming other specialized models by a margin of 17.2%. A 7% improvement in detecting congenital heart defects with an efficiency comparable to the experience of consultants.
He pointed out that this innovation represents scalable solutions that ensure advanced care reaches different regions of the world that suffer from a shortage of specialized personnel, which contributes to early intervention and improving health outcomes for future generations.
He added that the university has also completed the “NeuroPath” project, which provides an advanced approach to diagnosing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, by integrating genetic and clinical data with brain images, which allows for a more accurate diagnosis and a better ability to predict the development of the disease, in addition to providing clear explanations that support doctors in making their treatment decisions.
Professor Yacoub stressed the importance of cooperation between research institutions and hospitals, pointing out that partnerships, such as cooperation with Corniche Hospital and with the support of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, ensure the development of solutions based on realistic needs and real data, which enhances the transformation of research into effective clinical applications.
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