AI in healthcare: EY’s Ahmed El Banna on what’s real vs hype

At the first edition of WHX Tech 2025, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, artificial intelligence in healthcare took center stage as leaders debated its real-world potential versus the hype. Among them was Ahmed El Banna, director – Healthcare Strategy and Transformation MENA at EY, who joined the “Let’s Get Real with AI” debate to bring a health systems perspective to the conversation.

El Banna highlighted the need to differentiate between over-exaggerated claims and practical applications of AI, stressing that “in a hospital or in a healthcare setup, we always often look at two things. We look at patient outcomes and we look at value-based care or value outcomes.” He pointed to remote monitoring, early detection, and improved efficiency as areas where AI can deliver immediate impact, while cautioning that cost, infrastructure, and evolving policies remain major barriers to scaling.

By framing AI as a tool rather than a cure-all, El Banna underscored the importance of balancing innovation with ethical responsibility, patient safety, and economic feasibility. His insights reflected the broader theme of WHX Tech 2025: moving beyond hype to shape AI adoption in ways that meaningfully improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in the Middle East.