Iran hosts symposium on AI to delineate its healthcare potentials

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) – Iran’s top technology university, Amirkabir, is set to host a symposium focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, aiming to develop global and local models for smart hospitals. 

The event, as reported by the health ministry’s website, will bring together experts to discuss AI-driven solutions for hospital management, patient care, and medical innovation.  

The symposium will address key areas such as AI assistants for hospital managers, AI-optimized patient experiences, automation and robotics in smart hospitals, and smart healthcare monitoring systems. 

Additional topics include the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare, smart medical equipment, AI-based decision support systems, and the ethical, legal, and security challenges of implementing AI in medical settings.  

A significant focus will also be on empowering healthcare professionals through AI, optimizing resource and supply chain management, and advancing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). 

These discussions aim to enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare services while addressing the complexities of AI adoption in the medical field.  

This event follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in January between the vice presidency for Science and Technology and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 

The agreement, aimed at leveraging AI for medical treatment, focuses on omics and genomics studies, cell therapy, person-centered medicine, and the commercialization of innovative healthcare products and services.  

According to Mostafa Qanei, secretary of the Biology Development Headquarters, AI has demonstrated significant cost-saving potential in healthcare, with advanced countries reporting savings of up to 40 percent. 

In specific cases, such as breast or lung cancer diagnosis, AI has reduced costs by as much as 80 percent. 

Qanei emphasized the importance of integrating AI into Iran’s healthcare system to achieve similar efficiencies and foster a knowledge-based economy.  

In parallel, the Smart University of Medical Sciences (SMUMS) has developed a smart healthcare document, currently in its final approval stages. 

Hassan Bakhtiari, president of SMUMS, highlighted the document as a critical step toward digital transformation in Iran’s healthcare system. 

He noted that AI plays a pivotal role in disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, while also improving the quality and accessibility of medical services.  

Bakhtiari emphasized the potential of AI to bridge healthcare disparities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. 

Telemedicine, powered by AI, can provide advanced medical services to remote regions, promoting health equity and justice. 

He also called for Iran to strengthen its position in the AI sector, noting that many regional countries are already leading in this field.  

The symposium and recent initiatives underscore Iran’s commitment to harnessing AI for healthcare innovation. 

By integrating advanced technologies, the country aims to reduce treatment costs, improve patient outcomes, and ensure equitable access to medical services.  

As AI continues to revolutionize healthcare globally, Iran’s efforts to adopt and adapt these technologies reflect a broader vision of creating a smarter, more efficient, and inclusive healthcare system.