Morocco World News highlights UM6P graduate’s groundbreaking research on innovation barriers facing AI-driven health startups
In an in-depth feature published by Morocco World News (MWN), Dr. Ahmed Zahlan, a recent PhD graduate from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, explores the complex realities that AI healthcare startups face in bringing their innovations to market.
Drawing on interviews with more than 55 startup founders, Dr. Zahlan’s research reveals what he calls a “double complexity”—the intersection of two demanding worlds: healthcare’s strict regulations and the rapidly evolving pace of artificial intelligence. This combination, he explains, often creates unseen hurdles for founders aiming to scale and legitimize their solutions.
The study identifies critical barriers such as data quality and access, the risk of “AI washing” (projects labeled as AI without scientific depth), and the need for multi-disciplinary teams that combine clinicians, engineers, and business experts. It also underscores the importance of strategic partnerships—with hospitals, regulators, and universities—to help startups navigate regulatory and ethical frameworks.
Beyond highlighting global industry dynamics, MWN notes that this work has strong implications for Morocco and Africa, where the ecosystem for AI-driven health innovation is still emerging. Dr. Zahlan’s findings call for reinforced data infrastructures, adaptive regulatory frameworks, and research-backed entrepreneurship models—priorities that align closely with UM6P’s mission to drive applied science and innovation across the continent.
At the heart of Africa’s scientific transformation, UM6P continues to position itself as a catalyst for research that creates tangible societal value. Through its advanced doctoral programs, multidisciplinary research centers, and continent-wide innovation networks, the University enables its scholars and graduates to translate academic insights into real-world impact.
Dr. Zahlan’s study exemplifies this vision—bridging science, technology, and entrepreneurship to address Africa’s most pressing challenges. By empowering researchers to rethink innovation in fields such as AI and healthcare, UM6P reaffirms its commitment to shaping a new generation of scientists and innovators capable of transforming Africa’s future. This vision is further reflected in UM6P’s recent recognition in the Times Higher Education 2026 ranking, highlighting the university’s steady progress toward academic and scientific excellence.
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