How is artificial intelligence transforming the healthcare industry?

“Expectations are everything in artificial intelligence,” said Mr Mudassar. It’s important that we have realistic expectations of AI and how to think about computers that ‘think’. It’s also vital to find, fight and prevent AI and algorithmic bias.

“After all, AI is not free from error and innovation must be geared to nurture a positive healthcare management system.”

While information technology can create a multitude of solutions in AI, there are challenges to accessing large datasets while maintaining patient privacy protection, clean curated data, measuring performance and evolving regulatory standards. 

Mr Mudassar emphasises that the healthcare industry should separate between “hope and hype” when it comes to AI. In terms of systems that can think and reason enough to solve complex problems, “we’re nowhere close to such technology”, he said.   

Instead, he feels the answer lies in “combining the power of AI with the clinical knowledge of practitioners and leaders in the medical industry can create solutions which can be integrated into the workflows of healthcare providers.”  

Students on the Master of Information Technology Management (MIMT) programme at CUD combine the principles of business with the demands and opportunities presented by modern technology, like those in the healthcare industry. 

The one-year master’s degree enables students to lead and manage innovative projects, to make data-driven decisions and to identify new solutions for future challenges. Based in the university’s Faculty of Management, one of the largest business schools in the United Arab Emirates, the MITM programme brings North American-standard education and learning practises, delivered by industry experts from across the globe. 

Dr Rachid Alami is associate professor and associate dean of graduate studies in the Faculty of Management at CUD. He’s also programme leader for the MIMT. 

He said: “Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform healthcare services into an entirely efficient patient-centric process. With AI, we can help people take better care of their health and well-being, enabling healthcare providers to do what they do best. 

“AI is the perfect solution to handle high levels of information-driven variation and dissemination. AI can be leveraged to monitor and refine processes to and make predictions to achieve even greater efficiencies and to mine data from lab, medication and claims to recommend the most appropriate actions.” 

Graduates of the Master of Information Technology Management degree at CUD could explore a career as a chief information officer, chief technology office, IT project manager or data centre manager across a wealth of industries, including healthcare. 

Photo by Edward Jenner