How Saudi Arabia Is Using AI to Boost Public Health and Transform Patient Care

From Smart Hospitals to Intelligent Physical Education Planning: Saudi Arabia’s Tech-Driven Health Progress

Saudi Arabia is actively using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public health and promote an active lifestyle, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal to enhance quality of life through physical wellbeing. AI applications span healthcare facilities, education systems, and mobile apps that encourage healthier daily habits.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center leads this effort by integrating AI to optimize patient care, assist recovery, and provide families with personalized health education. Dr. Ahmad AbuSalah, director of the Center for Healthcare Intelligence at the hospital, describes this as a prime time for innovation within the Kingdom’s digital health landscape.

Earlier this year, the hospital achieved a milestone by performing a robotic-assisted implantation of the HeartMate 3 artificial heart pump developed by Abbott, reflecting its commitment to healthcare transformation under Vision 2030. The hospital’s strategy prioritizes reducing costs, expanding care access, and improving service quality—all driven by AI.

Strategic and Sustainable AI Use in Healthcare

Dr. AbuSalah emphasizes that AI adoption must be purposeful and sustainable to truly benefit patient outcomes. “Some organizations build AI models, keep them for a while, then discontinue because they didn’t add value,” he explains. The hospital avoids this by focusing on solutions that offer measurable impact.

AI in Operation Intelligence and Reducing Physician Burnout

One of the hospital’s AI highlights is operation intelligence, which predicts patient experiences days before appointments, particularly in cancer treatment. This enables medical teams to anticipate outcomes, manage expectations, and intervene early when necessary.

AI also reduces administrative tasks for clinicians, addressing a key contributor to physician burnout. Automating documentation, order submissions, and report generation frees doctors to concentrate on patient care, improving both staff wellbeing and clinical service quality.

AI Beyond Hospitals: Promoting Healthier Daily Habits

Outside clinical settings, AI-powered apps help Saudis track sleep, diet, and physical activity, offering personalized advice to encourage manageable lifestyle changes. Walking and cycling have become the most common physical activities among adults, according to a 2024 report by the General Authority for Statistics.

Addressing Gender Gaps and Enhancing Physical Education

The same report reveals a gender gap in physical activity: 23.2% of men are active compared to 14% of women. AI can narrow this gap by providing flexible exercise options accessible from home or community spaces.

In schools, AI supports physical education by helping teachers customize activities to student needs. This approach makes PE more engaging and inclusive, fostering lifelong fitness habits. Notably, the Saudi Ministry of Education recently added rugby as an elective sport to promote physical activity among children.

Looking Ahead

While technology plays a key role, experts stress that ongoing investment in infrastructure, educator training, and culturally relevant tools is essential for lasting health improvements. Saudi Arabia’s AI initiatives are transforming public health, helping the population move more, live healthier, and feel better every day.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Predictive AI can forecast patient experiences before appointments, enabling personalized treatment plans.
• AI-powered apps assist users in tracking sleep, diet, and exercise for smarter health choices.
• Schools use AI to plan physical education lessons that increase student engagement and inclusivity.

For healthcare professionals interested in expanding skills in AI applications, resources like Complete AI Training’s healthcare courses offer practical guidance on integrating AI in clinical settings.