Hospitals across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are still six to 18 months away from achieving full readiness for large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) implementation, according to industry experts. Despite significant enthusiasm and rapid investments in AI, most institutions lack the essential foundational processes, governance frameworks, and leadership awareness required for safe and effective deployment. Brian de Francesca, Special Envoy for AI and Synthetic Workforce Development at the Arab Hospitals Federation, highlighted this gap during the DATE summit in Dubai, emphasizing that AI adoption is not merely a software purchase but a comprehensive organizational transformation. He noted that many leaders are unaware of AI’s current capabilities, limitations, and associated risks. Sid Ahmed Benraouane, an advisor to the Dubai Government, stressed the importance of visionary leadership in harnessing AI’s potential, warning that without proper safeguards, organizations risk deploying poorly understood systems. Aditya Balaraman, AI innovation lead at Magure, echoed these concerns, pointing out that while ambition is abundant in the region, a clear roadmap is essential for sustainable AI integration. He emphasized that AI could serve as a levelling technology, enabling lower-income markets to catch up if the right investments are made.