Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has issued a formal warning against relying on artificial intelligence (AI) applications for diagnosing illnesses or handling medical emergencies, stressing that such technologies cannot replace human doctors.
In an official statement, the ministry said that while AI-based tools are becoming increasingly popular among patients seeking quick medical advice, they should not be viewed as substitutes for professional medical evaluation. The ministry emphasized that physicians possess advanced diagnostic skills—particularly in complex and critical cases—that exceed the current capabilities of AI technologies.
The statement cited recent medical studies indicating that AI systems may fail to accurately detect up to 30 percent of heart attack cases in women, highlighting serious limitations in relying solely on automated tools for diagnosis. Such gaps, the ministry warned, could lead to delayed treatment or misdiagnosis with potentially life-threatening consequences.
According to the ministry, AI should be used strictly as a supportive tool to assist healthcare professionals in improving the quality of care, rather than as a standalone decision-maker. It stressed that public health is not an area for experimentation and that unverified reliance on digital applications without medical consultation poses significant risks.
The ministry also urged patients to seek direct medical assessment from qualified doctors, particularly in emergencies or when symptoms are severe or unclear. Official medical guidance and recommendations issued by accredited health authorities, it said, remain the safest and most reliable source for diagnosis and treatment.
The warning comes amid a global surge in the use of AI-driven health apps, raising concerns among medical professionals worldwide about patient safety, ethical standards, and the limits of technology in clinical decision-making.
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