How Is Abu Dhabi Using AI to Predict Diabetes and Cancer Risk and Boost Life Expectancy?

Abu Dhabi is revolutionizing healthcare through artificial intelligence, with the Department of Health (DoH) introducing an AI-powered patient risk profile across all hospitals and clinics. This advanced tool scans lifelong medical records to detect patterns and predict risks for 14 diseases, including diabetes and cancer, even before symptoms appear. According to Ibrahim Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Digital Health at DoH, the system helps doctors make early interventions while keeping them in control of decision-making. Integrated through the Malaffi health information exchange, the system ensures every resident’s data is accessible to physicians across the emirate. Complementing this are two large language models — one supporting doctors in real time and another integrated into the Sahatna app to help individuals better understand their health. Do you think AI in healthcare can truly enhance early diagnosis and extend life expectancy, or does it risk over-reliance on technology?