Abu Dhabi AI-Robotics Conference Opens, Spotlighting Innovation in Healthcare
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The Abu Dhabi AI-Robotics Conference (AIRoC), organized by the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), officially commenced today at the university’s campus in Masdar City. The conference, running through 25th April, is centered on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and robotics in the healthcare sector, with a focus on advancing precision and personalized care.
The three-day event brings together leading experts and academics from globally renowned institutions, including Columbia University, Kyoto University, and the Technical University of Munich. The agenda features a robust lineup of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and technical talks aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in AI-driven healthcare.
Speaking at the opening session, Professor Yoshihiko Nakamura, Department Chair and Professor of Robotics at MBZUAI, emphasized the conference’s broader vision. “AIRoC is more than a conference—it’s a platform to connect global expertise and accelerate innovation in robotics for healthcare. We are proud to bring this conversation to Abu Dhabi and share what we’re building with the world,” he stated.
Professor Nakamura also announced MBZUAI’s ambitious initiative to establish the world’s first platform for universal physical and embodied intelligence. “This breakthrough will shape the next generation of intelligent machines, with impacts spanning hospitals, homes, and health systems worldwide,” he added.
The conference also spotlighted inclusive innovation, with Abdulla Abdulalee AlHumaidan, Secretary-General of the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), delivering a keynote on “Empowering Inclusion through AI.” He highlighted ZHO’s leadership in enhancing accessibility and empowering individuals of determination through cutting-edge technologies.
MBZUAI Provost Timothy Baldwin shared key insights into the university’s Public Health Programme, reflecting its strategic emphasis on AI applications in public health. Professor Sami Haddadin, MBZUAI Vice President of Research and a globally recognized expert in robotics, delivered a session on “Human-Robot Symbiosis,” underscoring the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent systems.
Adding a clinical perspective, Dr. Hassa Al Mazrouei, Medical Director Executive and International Patient Services at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), explored the practical applications of AI in medicine and its growing role in transforming healthcare delivery.
With a forward-looking agenda and a collaborative spirit, AIRoC is positioning Abu Dhabi at the forefront of global dialogue on AI and robotics in healthcare.
