Abu Dhabi’s Strategy to Become the World’s ‘Living Lab’ for Medical AI
By opening the emirate to advanced medical technologies from around the world for trialling by global companies, researchers and investors, Abu Dhabi is establishing itself as a global Living Lab for Medical AI. The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Mr Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 in Los Angeles.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has constructed an integrated healthcare infrastructure that will facilitate innovation in AI and in-field medical testing. Officials say Abu Dhabi is spending money on AI systems that use an electronic health record, physiology and genetic data from wearables, and genetic data to forecast disease, plan for health and create drugs.
Al Mansoori called Abu Dhabi a “living lab” for innovation in healthcare and said that, rather than the conventional system of treating patients, the government is shifting towards prevention and early detection. AI systems could help detect disease earlier, and allow more personalised treatment to be administered to patients, he said, which would help to get in on the front foot.
AI-Powered Healthcare Expansion in Abu Dhabi
The emirate is also further developing its health-care technology ecosystem by collaborating with international AI and biotechnology companies. Abu Dhabi has put AI-powered biotechnology companies and research centres focused on AI-driven medical innovation and drug discovery on the map.
Additionally, the Living Lab for Medical AI strategy is continuing its investments in digital health systems and smart city infrastructure. In the emirate, AI initiatives have been launched for early detection of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer, and big research institutes are carrying out cutting-edge research in the field of medical AI technologies and healthcare automation.
Officials say these efforts reflect the UAE’s holistic strategies to make Abu Dhabi a centre of healthcare innovation, biotechnology and responsible development of artificial intelligence globally.