The United Arab Emirates has established one of the most advanced healthcare innovation environments in the region, driven by the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and strong government investment in digital transformation. The AI in healthcare market in the UAE is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 2,935.1 million by 2033. A compound annual growth rate of 40.9% is expected of the UAE ai in healthcare market from 2026 to 2033. With a highly digitised public sector and a rapidly expanding ecosystem of health tech innovation, the UAE is positioning itself as a regional and global hub for AI-powered healthcare transformation.
Explore why people-centred strategies are essential to making AI work in healthcare as a tool and a catalyst for better patient care, better experience and better outcomes.
AI success starts at the top, with clear leadership alignment around purpose, values and desired impact. For any AI initiative to gain traction, healthcare leaders must be aligned on its strategic value. That value goes beyond cost savings; it includes improving patient outcomes, enhancing employee productivity and elevating the overall healthcare experience.
BDO’s research, Winning on the People Side of Business: Unleash the Human Advantage in the Age of AI, shows that organisations are far more likely to realise value from AI when leadership alignment, workforce readiness and change adoption are addressed early, not after deployment. When this alignment is missing, AI initiatives often stall or struggle to scale beyond pilots.
When leaders model curiosity, openness and support for AI, they create a ripple effect across the organisation. Alignment helps ensure consistent messaging, coordinated planning and a shared vision for how AI fits into broader transformation goals. Without this foundation, even the most promising AI tools can falter due to lack of trust, clarity, or direction.
Healthcare is fundamentally human and AI should be designed to serve and support that reality.
When thoughtfully implemented, AI can streamline documentation, freeing up time for providers to focus on patient care. Predictive analytics can support clinical decision-making, helping clinicians make faster, more informed choices. AI-powered scheduling tools can reduce administrative burden and improve access to care.
Evidence increasingly supports this approach. A multi-health-system study published by JAMA found that clinicians using ambient AI documentation tools experienced significant reductions in burnout, along with less after-hours documentation and lower cognitive load. These findings underscore an important principle: AI delivers the greatest value when it works in support of, not in place of, clinical expertise.
But AI should never override the value only humans can provide. The goal is better care, better experience and better outcomes for patients, providers and employees. When AI is positioned as a partner rather than a replacement, it builds trust and opens the door to meaningful adoption.
Fear of job loss is real but often misplaced when it comes to AI in healthcare. AI will change jobs, but it will not eliminate the need for human judgment, empathy and clinical expertise.
Employees and providers need to understand how AI can reduce burnout, improve productivity and help them focus on high-value tasks that only humans can do such as compassion, critical thinking and complex decision-making. That understanding doesn’t happen automatically. It requires intentional investment in education, engagement and support.
Clinicians themselves are clear about where they see value. In an American Medical Association survey, physicians identified reducing administrative burden as the single greatest opportunity for AI – ranking it well above automation or cost savings alone. Adoption follows when AI is clearly connected to improving day-to-day work.
Learning and development must go beyond technical skills. It should include mindset shifts, adaptability and a clear understanding of how AI fits into their day-to-day work. Communication must be human, compelling and visual — not transactional. When people feel informed and involved, they’re more likely to embrace change and contribute to its success.
The U.S. healthcare system faces a workforce crisis marked by shortages, rising costs and uneven outcomes. According to projections from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, workforce gaps across key clinical roles are expected to persist well into the next decade.
AI can help but only if implemented thoughtfully. It has the potential to improve productivity, reduce administrative burden and support clinical decision-making, all of which can strengthen care delivery and workforce sustainability. However, these benefits only materialise when people are brought along on the journey.
Co-designing AI solutions with providers and employees helps ensure relevance, usability and adoption. It also builds trust and ownership. When people see that AI is being developed with them, they’re more likely to embrace it as a strategic ally.
AI is not a silver bullet. It’s a tool whose impact depends entirely on how it’s used. The real transformation happens when people are engaged, educated and empowered.
Healthcare leaders must prioritise change adoption, culture and communication to unlock AI’s full potential. That means aligning leadership, investing in employee development and designing solutions that support the human element of care.
The journey must be undertaken with people, not imposed on them. When people come first, AI can fulfill its promise to transform healthcare in lasting and meaningful ways.
BDO in the UAE supports healthcare providers, government entities, investors and healthtech companies in managing this transformation by delivering integrated advisory, technology and risk services. Our teams assist clients in defining AI and digital health strategies, assessing organisational readiness and building robust governance frameworks that support the safe and scalable deployment of emerging technologies. We also help organisations evaluate AI-enabled healthcare solutions, strengthen cybersecurity and data privacy controls and ensure alignment with UAE regulatory requirements, including national health data standards and digital transformation policies.
Original content provided by BDO USA
Explore why people-centred strategies are essential to making AI work in healthcare as a tool and a catalyst for better patient care, better experience and better outcomes.
Key takeaways
- People-centered AI starts with leadership alignment
- AI delivers the most value when it supports, not replaces, the people at the heart of care
- Employee and provider engagement is critical to trust and adoption
- Sustainable impact depends on bringing people along the AI journey
Leadership alignment is the foundation
AI success starts at the top, with clear leadership alignment around purpose, values and desired impact. For any AI initiative to gain traction, healthcare leaders must be aligned on its strategic value. That value goes beyond cost savings; it includes improving patient outcomes, enhancing employee productivity and elevating the overall healthcare experience.BDO’s research, Winning on the People Side of Business: Unleash the Human Advantage in the Age of AI, shows that organisations are far more likely to realise value from AI when leadership alignment, workforce readiness and change adoption are addressed early, not after deployment. When this alignment is missing, AI initiatives often stall or struggle to scale beyond pilots.
When leaders model curiosity, openness and support for AI, they create a ripple effect across the organisation. Alignment helps ensure consistent messaging, coordinated planning and a shared vision for how AI fits into broader transformation goals. Without this foundation, even the most promising AI tools can falter due to lack of trust, clarity, or direction.
AI should support, not replace, your people
Healthcare is fundamentally human and AI should be designed to serve and support that reality. When thoughtfully implemented, AI can streamline documentation, freeing up time for providers to focus on patient care. Predictive analytics can support clinical decision-making, helping clinicians make faster, more informed choices. AI-powered scheduling tools can reduce administrative burden and improve access to care.
Evidence increasingly supports this approach. A multi-health-system study published by JAMA found that clinicians using ambient AI documentation tools experienced significant reductions in burnout, along with less after-hours documentation and lower cognitive load. These findings underscore an important principle: AI delivers the greatest value when it works in support of, not in place of, clinical expertise.
But AI should never override the value only humans can provide. The goal is better care, better experience and better outcomes for patients, providers and employees. When AI is positioned as a partner rather than a replacement, it builds trust and opens the door to meaningful adoption.
Engage and educate employees and providers
Fear of job loss is real but often misplaced when it comes to AI in healthcare. AI will change jobs, but it will not eliminate the need for human judgment, empathy and clinical expertise.Employees and providers need to understand how AI can reduce burnout, improve productivity and help them focus on high-value tasks that only humans can do such as compassion, critical thinking and complex decision-making. That understanding doesn’t happen automatically. It requires intentional investment in education, engagement and support.
Clinicians themselves are clear about where they see value. In an American Medical Association survey, physicians identified reducing administrative burden as the single greatest opportunity for AI – ranking it well above automation or cost savings alone. Adoption follows when AI is clearly connected to improving day-to-day work.
Learning and development must go beyond technical skills. It should include mindset shifts, adaptability and a clear understanding of how AI fits into their day-to-day work. Communication must be human, compelling and visual — not transactional. When people feel informed and involved, they’re more likely to embrace change and contribute to its success.
AI as a strategic solution to workforce challenges
The U.S. healthcare system faces a workforce crisis marked by shortages, rising costs and uneven outcomes. According to projections from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, workforce gaps across key clinical roles are expected to persist well into the next decade.AI can help but only if implemented thoughtfully. It has the potential to improve productivity, reduce administrative burden and support clinical decision-making, all of which can strengthen care delivery and workforce sustainability. However, these benefits only materialise when people are brought along on the journey.
Co-designing AI solutions with providers and employees helps ensure relevance, usability and adoption. It also builds trust and ownership. When people see that AI is being developed with them, they’re more likely to embrace it as a strategic ally.
Conclusion: AI success starts with people
AI is not a silver bullet. It’s a tool whose impact depends entirely on how it’s used. The real transformation happens when people are engaged, educated and empowered.Healthcare leaders must prioritise change adoption, culture and communication to unlock AI’s full potential. That means aligning leadership, investing in employee development and designing solutions that support the human element of care.
The journey must be undertaken with people, not imposed on them. When people come first, AI can fulfill its promise to transform healthcare in lasting and meaningful ways.
BDO in the UAE supports healthcare providers, government entities, investors and healthtech companies in managing this transformation by delivering integrated advisory, technology and risk services. Our teams assist clients in defining AI and digital health strategies, assessing organisational readiness and building robust governance frameworks that support the safe and scalable deployment of emerging technologies. We also help organisations evaluate AI-enabled healthcare solutions, strengthen cybersecurity and data privacy controls and ensure alignment with UAE regulatory requirements, including national health data standards and digital transformation policies.
Original content provided by BDO USA