Date: 2 July 2025
Time: 10:00 – 15:00 Cairo time
Location: Zewail City of Science and Technology, Cairo, Egypt

Hosted by: Centre for Genomics, Zewail City of Science and Technology
In partnership with: The Global Health Network (TGHN), WHO EMRO, The Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), AI Sarosh, and HealthAI - The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health.
Supported by: International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Format: Hybrid Event (In-person with virtual attendance)

Agenda Speaker Bios Workshop Report

Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping global health by offering innovative solutions to enhance health outcomes and address inequalities. Despite its transformative potential, the adoption of AI in healthcare systems faces challenges related to policy, ethics, technical capacity, and equitable access.

This regional workshop convened stakeholders from academia, government, NGOs, and international organisations to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform health systems in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The event provided a platform to showcase applied case studies, foster multisectoral dialogue, and map pathways for the responsible integration of AI in health systems.

The workshop aimed to: 

1. Understand Regional AI Dynamics: Explore how AI is being applied in healthcare across MENA and Asia, including current innovations and future opportunities.
2. Address Barriers: Identify key challenges such as ethical concerns, data governance, and capacity gaps that hinder responsible AI adoption.
3. Build Partnerships: Strengthen collaborations between policymakers, academics, the private sector, and civil society to enable sustainable, equitable AI-driven health solutions.
4. Promote Capacity Strengthening: Equip stakeholders with tools and strategies to build infrastructure, improve data quality, and develop AI-focused policies. 

Key outcomes and reflections

Drawing on the expertise and direct participation of the MENA Regional Coordinator for AI4GH, the following reflections capture the most significant outcomes of the meeting. Participants collectively recognised the urgent need for national and regional strategies to guide the responsible adoption of AI in health. This was accompanied by a candid acknowledgment of systemic gaps, particularly in data availability, governance frameworks, and technical capacity, which must be
addressed to enable meaningful progress.
There was a strong emphasis on equitable design and participatory approaches, ensuring that AI solutions are developed in ways that reflect the needs and contexts of diverse communities. Finally, participants expressed high interest in ongoing knowledge exchange and cross-country learning platforms, recognising their potential to accelerate best practice sharing and foster regional collaboration.