Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy calls for integrating Data & AI into healthcare.

On Monday, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced a partnership with Dutch technology company Philips (NYSE: PHG) to advance the use of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.

Saudi Arabia recently established the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) to support and drive the KSA Data & AI agenda incorporated in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 blueprint. The country is seeking to diversify the economy and improve public service sectors, including healthcare, through the use of modern technology.

Philips and SDAIA

The tie-up with Philips could advance the Kingdom’s strategy to integrate data and AI into healthcare. The move will increase access, enhance preventative care, and accommodate growing demand.

According to a statement, Philips will improve the performance and productivity of healthcare systems through integrated solutions that combine AI with the company’s clinical and operational knowledge and experience.

“Today, this agreement is part of our efforts to promote advanced technologies in the health field, support expertise exchange, and develop national capabilities, which will enhance the quality of health services, create new job opportunities, and elevate our national economy to become a data and AI-driven economy,” said H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of SDAIA.

AI-based health technology solutions have great potential to improve patient outcomes and the efficiency of care delivery,” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. “Such solutions can for example free up valuable time for healthcare professionals to focus more on the patients. Getting every aspect of an AI-enabled solution right requires extensive collaboration between clinicians, data scientists, and other experts. That is why we are pleased to partner with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to enable AI across all healthcare facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030.”

Focus areas

• Establish dedicated AI Knowledge Hub
• Philips IntelliSpace AI Workflow Suite will host and enable the deployment of multiple AI applications on a single platform in healthcare facilities. Philips’ IntelliSpace Discovery will facilitate the process of generating new AI applications by supporting data integration, training, and deployment in research settings
• Knowledge exchange with Philips’ top-level partners
• Establish a robust startup culture by creating new business opportunities around AI in healthcare.

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Image Credit: King Fahad Medical City