startAD and Google.org Launch AI Adoption Index to Guide UAE Healthcare and Social Impact Sectors
startAD, the Abu Dhabi-based startup accelerator anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi and powered by Tamkeen, has announced the launch of the AI Adoption Index. Developed through its "AI for Good" initiative and supported by Google.org, the index is built on insights from 52 UAE-based organizations. It offers the first practitioner-backed assessment of how entities in the healthcare and social impact sectors are adopting and implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the ground.
As the momentum for integrating AI technologies grows across various fields, many organizations are seeking practical guidance to translate interest into fruitful action. Key priorities include identifying viable and high-value use cases, establishing governance frameworks, allocating resources efficiently, and deploying solutions responsibly. Additionally, defining clear performance metrics and ensuring that successful use cases can be systematically scaled from isolated pilots to enterprise-wide adoption remain crucial.
Healthcare Sector Insights Within the healthcare sector, the study revealed that 81% of surveyed organizations have already identified AI use cases, while 58% have commenced testing or fully deploying these solutions. To support this momentum, startAD has released two practical implementation playbooks: the AI Use Case Discovery Playbook, which helps organizations transform initial concepts into testable use cases without requiring specialized technical backgrounds, and the AI Solution Assessment and Testing Playbook, which guides teams through evaluating, selecting, and running responsible pilot projects within existing operations.
Ashwin Joshi, Director of startAD, stated that the "AI for Good" initiative was launched to help purpose-driven and developmental organizations transition from mere interest in AI to practical implementation.
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director of Google MENA, added that while AI can seem complex, healthcare organizations are fully capable of embracing its technologies. He noted that this project directly addresses the common misconception that effective and impactful AI utilization demands massive financial resources or highly specialized technical expertise. Nakache highlighted that Google.org's support for startAD aligns with Google's regional AI Opportunity Initiative, aiming to enhance healthcare accessibility for underserved communities across the UAE.
To date, the "AI for Good" initiative has collaborated with five organizations through 13 specialized AI readiness workshops, resulting in an overall 43% increase in their AI adoption readiness. Furthermore, the initiative has successfully engaged nearly 200 university students and solution developers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the broader MENA region.