King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), the Middle East’s leading healthcare institution, showcased its global leadership in AI-driven healthcare at the recent AI in Health Summit in London. Dr. Björn Zoëga, CEO of KFSHRC Riyadh, joined a high-level fireside chat on “Democratizing Healthcare with AI Systems.”
Dr. Zoëga emphasized that while AI holds transformative potential, “technology alone will not improve or democratize health outcomes; it is the integration of systems, people, and trust that ensures patients benefit, regardless of their background or where they live.”
He underlined that AI can expand healthcare access, from basic services in underserved regions to advanced treatments in leading centers, but only if supported by strong governance, regulatory frameworks, and community-focused solutions. “Trust requires clear data oversight, robust regulation, and systems tailored to diverse populations,” he added.
Beyond clinical applications, Dr. Zoëga also highlighted AI’s power to reimagine hospital operations. “The administrative impact is often overlooked, yet it is one of the most powerful levers for expanding access and ensuring sustainable healthcare systems,” he said, pointing to AI’s ability to streamline patient flow, forecast demand, and reduce costs.
KFSHRC has pioneered the use of AI across multiple domains:
• Center for Healthcare Intelligence (CHI) – Established in 2019, CHI applies predictive modeling and digital twin technology, enabling surgical teams to rehearse procedures in advance.
• Global Milestones – Achieved the world’s first fully robotic heart and liver transplants, while scaling AI-powered genome sequencing to transform diagnostics.
• Precision Medicine – Deployed AI tools across oncology, cardiology, and radiology to advance personalized care.
• Capacity Command Center – Since 2021, it has executed more than 170,000 interventions, reducing inpatient wait times from 32 to 6 hours and cutting emergency department delays by 14%.
• AI Literacy & Training – Through its Academic & Training Affairs division, KFSHRC equips clinicians and developers with applied AI skills to ensure innovations directly enhance patient care.
Dr. Zoëga concluded that advancing AI in healthcare requires more than innovation. It demands systemic reforms, physician training, and a culture of accountability to ensure equitable global access.