Philips’ Betsabeh Madani Hermann Illuminates Healthcare’s Future at Web Summit Qatar 2025
At the recent Web Summit Qatar 2025, Betsabeh Madani Hermann, Global Head of Research at Philips, shared key insights into the company’s forward-thinking approach to healthcare innovation. In a conversation with Jamila Ghandi, Editor at Forbes Middle East, Hermann discussed how Philips is leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and address some of the most pressing challenges in the healthcare industry today.
With the world facing an increasing demand for high-quality, accessible healthcare, Philips aims to lead the charge in revolutionizing medical technology. By focusing on digital transformation and AI-powered solutions, the company is working to ensure that healthcare professionals are better equipped to deliver efficient, accurate, and personalized care to patients across the globe.
Philips’ Legacy of Innovation
Philips has a rich 134-year history of innovation, continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry. Hermann emphasized that this ability to adapt is critical in driving meaningful advancements.
“You can’t innovate for the future if you are living in the past,” she stated, highlighting the importance of staying ahead in an industry that is constantly being reshaped by new technologies and medical discoveries.
Over the decades, Philips has transitioned from a consumer electronics giant to a global leader in healthcare technology, investing heavily in AI, machine learning, and digital health solutions that enhance patient care and streamline medical workflows.
Addressing Global Healthcare Challenges
Healthcare systems worldwide are under immense pressure due to increasing patient loads, workforce shortages, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. Philips is tackling these challenges head-on by developing scalable solutions that extend expertise and improve access to care, particularly in underserved regions.
One key area of focus is AI-enabled imaging platforms, which assist clinicians in the early detection of serious conditions such as cancer and stroke. By integrating AI with imaging technology, Philips is enhancing the speed and accuracy of diagnostics, ensuring that diseases are identified at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Additionally, the company is investing in remote monitoring and telehealth solutions, allowing healthcare providers to offer continuous care to patients without requiring them to be physically present in a medical facility. This is particularly crucial for patients in rural areas, where access to specialized healthcare professionals is often limited.
Collaborative Innovation Approach
Philips’ strategy for driving innovation is deeply rooted in collaboration. The company works closely with clinical experts, researchers, and technology specialists to ensure that its solutions are tailored to real-world medical needs. Hermann underscored the importance of this approach, explaining how Philips integrates AI-powered decision support, automation in minimally invasive procedures, and predictive analytics to create a more efficient and effective healthcare system.
By combining expertise from different domains, Philips ensures that its technologies are not only cutting-edge but also practical and scalable. The company’s commitment to open innovation allows it to partner with universities, startups, and medical institutions to co-develop new solutions that improve both patient care and clinical workflows.
Responsible Innovation
With AI and digital healthcare solutions becoming increasingly prevalent, Philips is committed to ensuring that these technologies are developed and deployed responsibly. Hermann highlighted the company’s rigorous approach to responsible innovation, which prioritizes patient safety, data security, and clinical accuracy.
One of Philips’ key strategies in this area is conducting pre-mortem exercises during the research and development process. These exercises help identify and address potential risks before new technologies are launched, fostering trust among healthcare providers and patients alike. By maintaining transparency and focusing on ethical AI development, Philips aims to set a high standard for safety and reliability in healthcare technology.
Call for Collaboration
During her talk, Hermann also stressed the need for greater cross-sector collaboration to drive meaningful change in healthcare. She called upon clinicians, engineers, researchers, AI specialists, and policymakers to work together in shaping the future of medical innovation.
“Innovation doesn’t belong to R&D only, and it doesn’t happen in silos,” she noted, emphasizing that a collective effort is required to ensure that healthcare technologies are not only effective but also widely accessible and equitable.
Philips believes that through collaboration, the healthcare industry can create solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce the burden on medical professionals, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.
Web Summit Qatar 2025: A Hub for Innovation
Web Summit Qatar 2025 served as a global platform for showcasing groundbreaking innovations in technology and healthcare. The event attracted more than 25,700 attendees from 124 countries, demonstrating its growing significance on the world stage.
One of the standout features of this year’s summit was the impressive presence of startups, with 1,520 emerging companies participating and 723 investors in attendance. This made the summit the largest startup gathering in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Notably, nearly half (47%) of the participating startups were women-led, reflecting a positive shift toward diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. The event also provided a platform for key stakeholders to discuss challenges, forge partnerships, and explore the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and sustainable innovation.
Strategic Partnerships and Technological Advancements
A key outcome of Web Summit Qatar 2025 was the signing of 56 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Qatari and international entities. These agreements signal Qatar’s commitment to fostering innovation and technology-driven economic growth.
The MoUs covered a range of industries, including AI, digital transformation, and media, further establishing Qatar as a major hub for technological advancement in the region. By fostering collaborations between local and global organizations, the summit played a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of innovative solutions that have the potential to reshape multiple industries, including healthcare.
Conclusion
Under the leadership of forward-thinking innovators like Betsabeh Madani Hermann, Philips continues to push the boundaries of healthcare technology. By embracing digital transformation, AI-driven solutions, and strategic collaborations, the company is addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare industry today.
The discussions, partnerships, and innovations showcased at Web Summit Qatar 2025 further underscore the critical role of technology in shaping the future of medicine. As Philips continues to develop and refine cutting-edge healthcare solutions, its mission remains clear: to improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical workflows, and make high-quality healthcare more accessible worldwide.
With a commitment to responsible innovation and a focus on collaboration, Philips is well-positioned to lead the next wave of healthcare transformation—one that prioritizes efficiency, accuracy, and equity for all.
Do follow gulf magazine on Instagram
for more information click here
