AI, collaboration, and the cultural shift needed in African healthcare

The world is changing at breakneck speed. Innovation, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), is reshaping industries globally, and healthcare is no exception. For African business leaders, understanding and embracing this transformation is a necessity. AI has the potential to completely transform healthcare, opening doors we never thought possible—from finding new medicines to giving each person the treatment that works best for them. But to truly make this happen, we need to change how we think, work together more effectively, and be brave enough to let go of old ways of doing things.

“Leaders need to understand that bringing AI into healthcare is not about plugging in new gadgets.”

AI can transform every aspect of healthcare, from discovering new treatments to personalising patient care. But technology alone won’t get us there. Realising this potential depends on leaders who champion change and build a culture where teams are excited about AI and ready to adapt. The real challenge, and where we need to focus our energy, is in transforming our people and processes to fully embrace these new possibilities.

This cultural transformation is paramount. Leaders need to understand that bringing AI into healthcare is not about plugging in new gadgets. It’s about inspiring their teams to be excited about the possibilities and comfortable with doing things differently. This requires a shift in thinking, encouraging experimentation and rewarding innovation. Only then can we truly harness the power of AI in healthcare.

AI is already dramatically changing healthcare. It’s accelerating research and development, validating drug targets faster, optimising clinical trials, and drastically speeding up the drug screening process. This means patients get access to potentially life-saving treatments much faster (a critical need across Africa).

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However, adopting AI also means letting go of old ways of working. The technology will highlight promising projects and identify those less likely to succeed. This requires a shift in resource allocation and potentially the elimination of certain projects. Leaders need to support their teams through this shift, creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable with change and can focus on the most promising new directions.

One critical area where AI is making a significant impact is clinical trial recruitment. This notoriously challenging process, costing billions annually and often resulting in failed trials, can be revolutionised by AI. Tools are now available to efficiently identify qualified participants, bringing trials directly to patients. Collaborations like the one between Sanofi, OpenAI, and Formation Bio, which produced Muse, an AI-powered tool to accelerate clinical trial recruitment, demonstrate the potential of AI to address this persistent challenge.

Beyond research and development, AI is also transforming patient care. Personalised medicine, tailored to individual needs, is becoming a reality. AI can analyse vast amounts of data to predict patient outcomes and identify the most effective treatments. AI-powered genetic screening can pinpoint people at risk for common diseases that strike too early, allowing for earlier intervention and potentially saving countless lives.

Although the potential benefits of AI in healthcare are immense, patient engagement and data consent are critical. We must build trust in AI-driven medical advice and encourage individuals to proactively seek knowledge about their risk factors and adhere to treatment plans. This means we need to talk openly with people, address their worries, and build trust in how this technology is used.

Data is the lifeblood of AI. Generative models are only as good as the data they are trained on. Patient outreach is essential to encourage data sharing for research purposes. However, data privacy concerns must be addressed. Techniques like federated learning, used by companies like Owkin, allow for data analysis and the generation of insights while protecting the underlying data at its source. And when companies like Sanofi share their innovations and data, it creates a collaborative environment where everyone wins.

The transition to an AI-powered healthcare system requires a shift from a linear, company-centric model to a regenerative, circular model. This collaborative approach maximises our collective capacity to improve healthcare outcomes.

Lastly, we must acknowledge that change will be met with resistance. Leaders need to be the biggest advocates for AI, showing everyone how it can make a real difference in healthcare. This requires a cultural shift towards a learning organisation, one that embraces experimentation and innovation. As Satya Nadella emphasises, we must move from being educational organisations to learning organisations. Healthcare, which has traditionally focused on educating and advising patients, now needs to prioritise engagement to get everyone on board.

In conclusion, the intelligent age of healthcare presents immense opportunities for African business leaders. We can unlock AI’s transformative power and improve healthcare for everyone by working together, being open to change, and putting patients first. This is not just about adopting new technology; it’s about reimagining the future of healthcare. The time to act is now.

Ota Akhigbe is the Director of Partnerships and Programmes at eHealth Africa and a leading voice in driving sustainable healthcare development across the continent. Her work focuses on building strategic partnerships and innovative programmes to improve healthcare access and outcomes for communities in need.