Medical AI and robotics transform global healthcare diagnostics and surgery

Artificial intelligence and robotics are driving a significant transformation in global healthcare, moving diagnostic and surgical capabilities beyond traditional hospital settings. In the field of medical imaging, the AI medical imaging and radiology market is projected to grow from US$2.5 billion in 2025 to US$22 billion by 2035, fueled by the need to analyze vast amounts of data from CT, MRI, and X-ray scans.

In clinical practice, AI-enabled devices are increasingly used for early disease detection and risk assessment. The US FDA has authorized over 1,600 AI-enabled medical devices as of September 2026. Innovations include AI-powered cardiac diagnostics, such as HEARTio’s technology for detecting coronary artery disease, and the implementation of the GCC’s first AI-powered cardiac catheterization laboratory at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi to enhance procedural precision.

Surgical robotics is also reshaping modern medicine, particularly in joint replacement surgeries where AI-aided assistance can increase precision from 85% to over 90%. Meanwhile, in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, medical AI start-ups are working to bridge the gap caused by severe shortages of specialist healthcare workers, such as radiologists, by providing automated diagnostic support for chest X-rays and mammograms.