American health IT giant working to launch AI research center in the Middle East

Cerner is partnering with 252-bed American Hospital Dubai to open a medical AI research center in the United Arab Emirates.

The Missouri-based company says collaborators in the project will draw on Cerner’s EHR data and AI analytics tools to eventually create centers of excellence for oncology, infectious diseases and bariatric medicine.

In the shorter term, the AI research center will concentrate on enabling home health experiences and enhancing care management related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CEO of the hospital’s parent organization, Sherif Beshara, says the initiative will help American Hospital Dubai (AHD) advance the healthcare mission of the Emirates government, which has called for leveraging healthcare AI to improve the health status of the country’s 10 million or so citizens and residents.

“This initiative takes us one step closer to our objective” of building a “patient-centric healthcare delivery system,” he adds, “thereby empowering individuals to proactively manage their health.”

Cerner’s managing director for the Middle East and Asia, Alaa Adel, adds that the AI research center will “equip AHD with cutting-edge technologies to redefine health and care in the new post COVID-19 pandemic era.”

Project leaders expect the AI research center to launch over the next three to six months.

Dave Pearson

Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.

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