– M Rafi Ahmed
Artificial Intelligence is a tool, not a threat, said Australian Roboticist Rodney Brooks. No doubt, innovations in the field of Artificial Intelligence continue to shape the future of humanity across every industry. According to a research paper by Matthew Urwin early this year, AI is already the main driver of emerging technologies like big data, robotics and IoT, and generative AI has further expanded the possibilities and popularity of AI.
In this scenario, it is heartening to hear that Saudi Arabia launched the world’s first fully AI-powered doctor clinic, marking a historic step in the use of artificial intelligence in medical care. Opened in Riyadh by AiClinic, the facility offers entirely automated consultations, from diagnosis to prescription, without requiring a human doctor on site. This is part of Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030.
The AI doctor uses a combination of machine learning, voice recognition, and medical databases to understand symptoms, analyse medical history, and suggest treatments. Patients interact with the AI system through kiosks or digital screens and receive a printed or digital prescription within minutes. Moreover, this is a strategic plan to diversify the country’s economy and promote innovation. The health sector is a key focus area, and AI is seen as a solution to increase access to care, particularly in rural or underserved areas.
According to sources, the AI system underwent extensive testing so as to meet global safety and diagnostic standards. The goal is to reduce the burden on human doctors and free up resources for more complex cases while still ensuring high-quality care for routine medical issues.
How the AI Clinic Works
Patients visiting the clinic first check in via a digital system and input basic health data.
It is learnt that the AI doctor then conducts a conversational diagnosis, asking relevant questions and analysing symptoms in real time. Based on this interaction, the system provides a diagnosis and suggests medication or follow-up actions. The process takes less than 10 minutes and is designed to be user-friendly, even for those unfamiliar with digital tools.
Further, the clinic also supports multiple languages, enhancing accessibility for the diverse population of Saudi Arabia.
Benefits and Concerns
The AI clinic offers several advantages:
- Reduced wait times and faster service
- Lower operational costs
- Increased reach in remote areas
- Standardised diagnostic quality
However, medical professionals and ethicists have expressed concerns.
Regarding the future of AI in medicine, experts said that AI won’t fully replace human doctors soon as its role in augmenting healthcare systems is expanding. Saudi Arabia’s clinic is an early but powerful example of how AI can revolutionise primary care, especially in countries facing healthcare worker shortages or logistical challenges. As nations around the world consider similar models, the Saudi experiment will be closely watched – both for its innovation and the ethical questions it raises.
Flipping through the pages of history revealed that in 1959, Robert Ledley and Lee Lusted published a paper in Science, explaining the importance of reasoning processes in medical diagnosis, and discussed the potential role of electronic computers. This work is considered by many as the initiating paper that launched the field of medical informatics.
AI was first coined in 1956 during the Dartmouth Summer Research Project. Since then, it’s had a fascinating trajectory within medicine.
Initially, AI applications were based on rule-based decision support systems developed in the 1970s. However, these early models faced considerable limitations that hindered their widespread implementation in healthcare settings.
The 2000s marked a turning point as advances in deep learning began to mitigate earlier challenges. Since then, AI applications in healthcare have evolved significantly, with systems now capable of analysing complex datasets and facilitating self-learning capabilities. During the 2020s, artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has witnessed several transformative advancements.
Boston headquartered Keragon Organisation published a report on March 28, 2025 wherein a team of serial software entrepreneurs and healthcare experts detailed the key areas of progress in AI in healthcare which includes early detection and diagnosis, precision medicine, and patient management. University of Oxford in UK Prof Dave Waters had said: “Artificial Intelligence is the future and the future is here”.
