Amman: The Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted a significant event in Jordan, focusing on advancing responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for global health within the MENA region. This convening, conducted in collaboration with The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), and backed by the International Development Research Centre and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, aimed to strategically address the adoption of AI in low-resource settings, emphasizing leadership from the Global South to bridge the expanding AI gap.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the two-day event featured expert-led panel discussions that gathered voices from research, policy, and practice. These discussions explored ethical, technical, and governance frameworks for AI in global health, showcasing regional experiences and pathways for responsible innovation. Dr. Wessam El Beih, MENA regional director for the International Development Research Centre, emphasized the necessity of shifting AI leadership to the Global South to "decolonize health" and reflect local realities. Dr. Shadi Saleh, founding director of AUB GHI, highlighted the urgent need for immediate intervention, warning that without action, low- and middle-income countries could fall "half a century behind" in leveraging health AI.
Presentations revealed GHI's ongoing work in the field. Dr. Nadine Sabra, manager of AUB GHI's E-Sahha Digital Health Program, explained how the program is advancing low-cost AI innovations and strengthening governance through a dedicated curriculum and certification. Dr. Ramzi Halabi, chief technology officer and biomedical engineering lead at b.r.a.i.n., outlined the essential requirements for effective AI in low-resource settings, emphasizing local data validation and ethical governance.
Two core panels offered diverse perspectives on AI implementation. The first panel, moderated by Dr. Mehdi Snene, senior advisor to the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, addressed implementation challenges and opportunities. Dr. Osama El Hassan, chairman of ZIMAM, UAE, and Dr. Rose Nzyoka, co-chair at Global Digital Health Network, Kenya, stressed the importance of aligning AI strategies with national priorities using strong, locally relevant data. Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, AI/ML Specialist at PHC Global, Pakistan, highlighted the need for transparency in data sourcing, while Anneka Wickramanayake from Jacaranda Health, Kenya, advocated for scalable solutions integrated into existing health systems.
The second panel, moderated by Emily Nicholson, digital transformation consultant at UNICEF, focused on translating AI concepts into tangible health outcomes. Jhon Magkilat from The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health, Switzerland, emphasized flexible regulation, while Dr. Aral Srmeli, founder and CEO of HERA Digital Health, stressed designing tools for real-world constraints. Dr. Zakaria Belrhiti from University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Morocco, and Dr. Martin Saban, a researcher from Argentina, highlighted the importance of stakeholder involvement and human-centered care.
The convening concluded with interactive sessions on the co-design and co-creation of capacity-building offerings in responsible AI, tailored to the needs of low-resource settings. This workshop underscored the importance of regional partnerships and shared expertise in advancing responsible AI for global health.