The Ministry of Health and Prevention of the United Arab Emirates is integrating blockchain into its medical data processes.
Laying Foundation for AI
This from The Emirates News Agency, who report that the small middle eastern country is actively building a blockchain ecosystem for medical records. Reportedly, the country would like to see AI integration in its health network next, and building a robust blockchain data storage system is a first step in that direction.
The publication quotes Amin Hussein Al Amiri, a deputy at the ministry, as saying:
The transition to the AI technologies is in line with the directives of the wise leadership to make the UAE a leading global model in the proactive confrontation of future challenges and focus on smart health care. The AI-based projects will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of health care services and providing smart medical solutions, in accordance with the UAE Centennial 2071, and its artificial intelligence strategy.
The UAE is a top destination for blockchain firms, with Dubai actively working to attract companies working in financial technology. Telegram, who became a blockchain company with the ICO for their massive blockchain platform, are based in Dubai. Companies like Ripple keep offices there, in order to harness the growing blockchain momentum of the region.
The country has already tried out blockchain for international settlements.
Like many regions, the MIddle East often suffers from geopolitical issues. When these issues affect banking, that’s where cryptocurrency and blockchain can help.
Blockchain Without Borders
Some countries, like Iran, have already realized this, and introduced their own blockchain for foreign settlements.
In Iran, Syria, and elsewhere, foreign currencies, and cryptocurrencies, are very popular, over and above the local currency.
But blockchains can be used for more than just the cause of financial freedom. While some disagree, this is demonstrated with projects like this medical data program, built to help welcome the coming wave of artificial intelligence.
AI, of course, is an area that itself will have plenty of use for blockchain. Tracking the actions of an AI-robot on the blockchain, as well as enabling it to spend and receive funds, among other uses, will seem obvious with time.
In the US, to date, there have been limited trials with blockchain technology across fields. For the most part, blockchain is limited to financial applications.
While there’s nothing wrong with blockchain being used in finance, it would be nice to see it expand. There are dozens of blockchain platforms that are waiting to see some real use. Meanwhile, there are plenty of real-world processes that could benefit from the speed and integrity of a blockchain architecture.
Medical records are one area that can be quickly disrupted by blockchain. But there are others. Consider blockchain voting and blockchain ID, both of which are still struggling to take off. Eventually, though, one or the other will become the norm. It just seems obvious, especially in the case of voting, which can otherwise be tampered with.
Blockchain ID, and other applications which deal with sensitive information, may take more time to catch on. But eventually, it seems, people will need nothing more than their device, be it their phone or otherwise, to do things like get healthcare, access money, show ID, and vote.
