Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare faster than any other industry — and Abu Dhabi-headquartered M42 is at the centre of that shift. The UAE-based global health network has developed a suite of sophisticated AI tools that are reshaping clinical decision-making, administrative workflows, and preventive care at scale.
Med42 LLM: The UAE's Clinical AI Model
The cornerstone of M42's AI healthcare strategy is the Med42 LLM, a clinical large language model first released in October 2023. A major updated version followed in 2024, and the model now achieves a 94.5% score on USMLE evaluations — the standardised test used for US medical licensing.
In practice, Med42 allows clinicians to distil complex medical literature into tailored educational resources and supports evidence-based treatment decisions. Ahead of Arab Health 2025, Dr. Maaz Shaikh, M42's Vice President of Product Management, highlighted how the model is already shaping physician practice across the network.
AI tools integrated into M42's systems also reduce administrative burden. AI-assisted documentation and note-taking capabilities free up clinician time that can then be redirected toward direct patient care — one of the most persistent challenges in modern healthcare delivery.
AIRIS-TB: Automating Tuberculosis Screening
One of M42's most operationally significant deployments is AIRIS-TB, an AI-powered system that automates tuberculosis screening through chest X-ray analysis. The system processes 2,000 chest X-rays daily at M42's Capital Health Screening Centre, achieving an 80% reduction in radiologist workload while maintaining zero missed TB cases.
The technology flags abnormal results instantly for radiologist review, allowing clinicians to focus attention where it matters most. It also expands the scope of screening beyond TB — radiologists can use the time saved to detect other conditions and refer patients for timely follow-up.
Alongside AIRIS-TB, M42 has deployed endoscopic imaging tools that improve anomaly detection across gastrointestinal procedures, further extending AI's diagnostic reach within the network.
Genomics and Precision Medicine
M42's Omics Centre of Excellence leads the organisation's genomic research portfolio, including contributions to the UAE Genome Programme. By combining population-scale genomic data with AI-driven analysis, M42 is building the infrastructure needed for precision medicine — treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles rather than population averages.
This work feeds directly into M42's broader mission of accelerating drug development, optimising clinical trials, and delivering personalised therapies that improve outcomes at the individual level.
Ethics, Privacy, and Human Oversight
Despite the depth of its AI deployment, M42 is explicit that technology does not replace clinical judgement. "Every AI application receives proper risk assessments to follow the utmost ethical guidelines during its implementation phase," Dr. Shaikh stated. Patient data privacy and ethical governance are treated as non-negotiable constraints, not afterthoughts.
The organisation's philosophy holds that the compassionate essence of healthcare requires human expertise to work in harmony with automated systems — AI serves as a tool that augments clinicians, not one that replaces them.
Setting Global Standards for Digital Healthcare
M42's goal is to create healthier, longer lives through precision medicine and illness prevention. By deploying AI responsibly — with safe applications, rigorous oversight, and a clear ethical framework — M42 is positioning the UAE as a reference point for how digital healthcare should be built and governed worldwide.
As Arab Health 2025 convenes the global health industry in Dubai, M42's programme illustrates what is possible when AI capability is matched with clinical rigour and institutional commitment to patient welfare.
