Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), a subsidiary of digital health platform M42, has announced the launch of a strategic initiative titled “Silicon Valley for Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare.” The initiative is being rolled out in collaboration with the Stanford Research Institute (SRI)—a leading U.S.-based research institution—and Vantage Bridge Partners, a technology adoption accelerator and investment support firm based in the Middle East and Africa, with its headquarters in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
The initiative aims to establish a world-class innovation center in Abu Dhabi, positioning the Emirate as a global hub for artificial intelligence and advanced healthcare technologies. The center will drive digital transformation by supporting startups, promoting scientific research, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise among global leaders in the health and tech sectors.
The terms of the initiative were signed during the Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week, in the presence of H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and H.E. Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Group CEO and Managing Director of M42. Signatories included Karim Shaheen, CEO of Digital Health Solutions at M42, Peter Marcotullio, Senior Vice President of Commercial Marketing at SRI, and Alan Barun, Founder and Chairman of Vantage Bridge Partners.
The new center will serve as a global platform for developing and deploying AI-driven smart healthcare solutions, thereby reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a leader in global healthcare innovation. The initiative will support knowledge-based economic development, attract top global talent, accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative health solutions, and promote international cooperation in research and AI.
H.E. Mansoor Al Mansoori emphasized that the initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a world-class healthcare system. He noted that the innovation center will play a vital role in attracting top minds and creating transformative health solutions for the region and beyond.
Peter Marcotullio expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying: “This collaboration with Abu Dhabi will open new horizons for global health innovation by combining our research strengths with ADHDS’s healthcare expertise and Vantage Bridge’s investment capabilities.”
Karim Shaheen highlighted the initiative as a turning point in Abu Dhabi’s journey toward global leadership, stating: “Through this innovation center, we will create a nurturing environment for brilliant minds and cutting-edge technologies, making Abu Dhabi a global hub for AI-driven healthcare solutions.”
Alan Barun added that the initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision of building an advanced digital health system: “We’re accelerating innovation and supporting research to build a legacy of technological advancement, economic growth, and improved quality of life.” He concluded by noting that the initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s broader ambition to become a global destination for life sciences innovation and a central hub for digital transformation in healthcare, serving humanity locally and worldwide.