Dr Jamil El-Imad, a leading figure in neurotechnology, has unveiled his latest creation: AI Jay, a digital twin powered by artificial intelligence designed to assist both doctors and patients, without replacing human expertise. During a demonstration, Dr El-Imad introduced AI Jay with a calm, familiar voice, saying, “He’s ready for us.” The AI, which mimics Dr El-Imad’s own voice and knowledge, immediately began offering mental health advice, guiding people on coping with stress and isolation.
When asked by Khaleej Times how to advise a young person feeling isolated after moving to Dubai, AI Jay responded with soothing advice, suggesting mindfulness, physical activity, and seeking social connections. “Balance technology with authentic human connections,” he advised, reinforcing the importance of self-awareness and routines to manage stress. AI Jay’s multilingual capabilities were evident as he effortlessly repeated the response in flawless Italian, Arabic, and Chinese, demonstrating the vast potential of the technology.
However, despite the impressive abilities of AI Jay, Dr El-Imad was quick to clarify that the AI is not a replacement for doctors. “AI today is a support system to doctors it can never replace them,” he said, stressing the importance of human presence in medical care. This distinction is crucial, particularly when discussing AI’s role in mental health. Dr El-Imad also highlighted the ethical boundaries of AI Jay, with the digital twin firmly stating that it would not provide harmful or unethical advice, instead promoting safe, responsible interactions.
AI Jay’s creation is a result of Dr El-Imad’s extensive work in neurotechnology, supported by a team at Imperial College London. The AI combines advanced brain-training algorithms with Dr El-Imad’s own recorded voice and a virtual presence, aiming to extend his knowledge and facilitate meaningful conversations around mental health. In a demonstration, AI Jay successfully delivered a keynote and conducted a Q&A session at the Arab Youth Technology Fellowship in Abu Dhabi, further showcasing its potential.
Dr El-Imad, who has spent over a decade pioneering digital therapeutics, sees AI Jay as part of a broader mission to support mental health. “Mental health is the new pandemic,” he said, emphasising that one-third of all diseases are brain-related. He has long been working on projects like mind gyms and the Dream Machine, exploring ways to use neurotechnology and virtual reality for mental health care. While these innovations are still undergoing clinical trials, Dr El-Imad remains hopeful about their future impact.
His work in neurotechnology and AI began early, with a childhood fascination for technology leading to the creation of his first invention a binary calculator in the 1970s. Over the years, he has contributed to developments in IBM systems, virtual reality, and neuro-stethoscopes. He founded Metaverse Holding in 2008, years before the term “metaverse” became mainstream. Reflecting on the current state of AI, Dr El-Imad remarked, “We don’t have artificial intelligence. We have artificial intellect,” noting that AI systems may process data efficiently, but they lack human imagination.
For Dr El-Imad, the key to successful AI is ensuring that it amplifies human creativity, rather than competes with it. “The future lies in collaboration where AI amplifies human ingenuity,” he concluded, a sentiment echoed by his digital twin. As AI Jay’s development continues, Dr El-Imad remains focused on using technology to enhance, rather than replace, the human touch in mental health care.
This technology could play a significant role in the UAE’s growing focus on health and innovation, complementing ongoing efforts in sectors like medical education and advanced therapeutics. As the region continues to evolve, it may serve as a hub for further breakthroughs, just as Dr El-Imad finds inspiration from its dynamic atmosphere.
For more on the UAE’s innovations in medical and technology fields, see From vision to reality: Dr. Thumbay Moideen’s journey in transforming UAE’s medical education.
