Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to significantly advance medical research and healthcare delivery, experts said at the Second Annual Scientific Research Day held at the University Medical City in Muscat on September 28. The event, conducted under the patronage of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, and Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health and Chairman of the University Medical City Board, attracted around 600 researchers, academics, and healthcare professionals from across Oman.
Focusing on the theme “From Evidence to Excellence,” the one-day conference showcased research from more than 340 submissions, culminating in 15 oral presentations and 60 scientific posters. These contributions spanned 20 fields, including precision medicine, oncology, cardiology, organ transplantation, infectious diseases, patient safety, clinical pharmacy, population health, health economics, medical education, and quality of care.
Prof. Zobair Younossi, Chair of the Global Council on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) and Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University, emphasized AI’s transformative potential during an interview at the event. He noted that AI’s capacity to analyze vast, complex datasets can expedite medical discoveries, optimize clinical trials, and improve patient outcomes. "AI has a critical role in drug discovery and development, genomic analysis, disease progression modeling, and scientific research assistance," Younossi said.
Dr. Siham bint Salim al Sinani, CEO of the University Medical City, highlighted the importance of research’s practical impact over mere volume. “Our objective is to anchor research close to the patient experience—starting with questions arising from clinical practice and returning with better evidence and actionable solutions,” she remarked.
The event also featured remarks from Prof. Dr. Murtadha bin Khamis al Khabouri, Director-General of the Directorate-General of Medical Education, Scientific Research and Innovation. He underscored the role of the Scientific Research Day as a platform for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and forging partnerships between health and academic institutions. He called for stronger integration of research with clinical practice and alignment with national health priorities to ensure that research findings translate into effective policies and practical applications.
The conference concluded with the announcement of awards recognizing outstanding contributions to medical research. The gathering reflected Oman’s growing commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to enhance healthcare quality and outcomes.