Inside Saudi Arabia’s AI doctor clinic: A first in global healthcare

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has become the first country in the world to open an artificial intelligence (AI) doctor clinic, an initiative that could redefine the future of healthcare.

The clinic, launched in April, is a collaboration between Shanghai-based medical technology firm Synyi AI and the local Almoosa Health Group.

Located in the eastern Al Ahsa region, the pilot program introduces “Dr. Hua,” an AI-powered virtual doctor capable of independently diagnosing and prescribing treatments through interactive consultations.

Patients describe their symptoms on a tablet, where Dr. Hua follows up with questions and analyzes diagnostic data, including cardiograms and X-rays, with assistance from human medical staff.

Though the AI generates treatment plans autonomously, each plan is reviewed and approved by a licensed human doctor without requiring an in-person visit.

This hybrid model aims to ensure both the efficiency of AI and the accuracy and safety of human oversight.

Zhang Shaodian, CEO of Synyi AI, highlighted the clinic’s innovation: “What AI has done in the past is assist doctors, but now we are taking the final step of letting AI diagnose and treat patients directly.”

He noted the company’s technology has demonstrated an error rate below 0.3 per cent during internal testing, signaling high reliability.

Currently, Dr. Hua’s services are limited to respiratory illnesses, covering about 30 conditions including asthma and pharyngitis. Synyi AI plans to expand the clinic’s scope over the next year to include up to 50 diseases spanning respiratory, gastrointestinal, and dermatological categories.

The company is also preparing to roll out additional AI clinics across other hospitals in Saudi Arabia as part of a wider regional expansion.

Offering the service free of charge during this trial phase, the clinic is gathering diagnostic data to support regulatory approval by Saudi health authorities before commercial launch.

The initiative is Synyi AI’s first overseas venture after a successful track record in China, where it has partnered with over 800 hospitals, clinics, and medical colleges since its founding in 2016.

Backed by major investors such as Tencent and GGV Capital, Synyi AI aims to harness artificial intelligence not only for direct patient care but also for improving medical data management and research.

 -- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE