Regulating AI in health in the Middle East: Case studies from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This chapter analyses the laws that govern the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare in Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We argue that these Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been at the forefront of governance developments in this area not only in the region but globally. Three areas of development are examined. First is the general and specific governance mechanisms that have been created. This includes the general AI strategies and policies, specific ministries and specific hard law rules for the use of AI in the health sector that have been created in the UAE. Second is medical device regulations, with a specific focus on KSA’s guidance for AI-based medical devices. Third is the data protection laws. Qatar was the first country in the region to create a detailed law in this area, but all three countries now possess such laws, with diverging approaches to cross-border data transfers, which are important for AI systems in health. Together, these developments paint a complex emerging regulatory landscape for AI in health in the region.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearch Handbook on Health, AI and the Law
Subtitle of host publicationResearch Handbooks in Health and Medical Law
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
Pages332-354
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9781802205657
ISBN (Print)9781802205640
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Jul 2024

Keywords

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Health
  • Law
  • Middle East, GCC
  • Regulation

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