Latest News from Alalam24
Alalam24
4 days ago
- Health
- Alalam24
World's First AI Clinic Begins Operations in Saudi Arabia
In an unprecedented global move, Chinese startup Sinohey AI has announced the opening of the world's first fully AI-powered medical clinic in the Al-Ahsa region of eastern Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Al-Mousa Health Group. This pilot project follows promising results from the company's AI model, which recorded an error rate of less than 0.3% in previous tests—comparable to human error in medical diagnoses, according to a report by Bloomberg. The initiative is still in its early stages, with the AI model currently available to a limited number of patients for free. A human doctor remains present to oversee the diagnostic and treatment processes. After each consultation, the medical reports and decisions generated by the AI are submitted to Saudi health authorities for review and accuracy checks, in preparation for official licensing within the next 18 months, according to company CEO Zhang Shaodian. The clinic operates through direct interaction between the patient and the intelligent model, named Dr. Hua, via tablets available on-site. Patients enter their symptoms, after which the model may request lab tests or imaging, which are carried out by qualified medical staff. The AI then analyzes the results and suggests a treatment plan, which is reviewed by an independent human doctor before being given to the patient. Currently, Dr. Hua can diagnose around 30 types of respiratory diseases. The company aims to expand this to 50 conditions, including those affecting the respiratory, dermatological, and digestive systems. Coordination with Saudi authorities is ongoing to expand the trial and open additional AI-based clinics in the coming months. Despite the company's long-term goal of eliminating the need for human doctors in non-emergency cases, the current model is still under strict human supervision. A physician must be on-site and ready to intervene when needed, ensuring a balance between technological innovation and medical safety.
Alalam24
21-05-2025
- Science
- Alalam24
Artificial Intelligence Surpasses Virologists
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a limited technical tool; it has evolved into a cross-disciplinary cognitive force capable of redefining the boundaries of the human mind. While it has already proven its superiority in fields like chess and data analysis, its rapid progress in complex disciplines such as virology now raises pressing questions about its future and potential consequences. Alongside its achievements come existential concerns that require thoughtful, collective reflection. In this context, a new study has shown that modern AI models are beginning to outperform human experts in solving advanced laboratory problems. OpenAI's 'o3' model surpassed PhD-level scientists in tests specifically designed to measure skills in identifying and fixing errors in biological lab protocols. Similarly, Google's 'Gemini 2.5 Pro' achieved a performance rate of 37.6%, compared to an average of just 22.1% among human specialists. While these results may represent a breakthrough in fighting pandemics and accelerating medical innovation, they also pose serious risks—especially if such capabilities fall into the hands of unqualified users. Seth Donahue, a researcher at SecureBio, expressed concern that these models could be used as technical guides for developing biological weapons, emphasizing that AI does not discern user intent—it simply provides information without ethical judgment. Some AI companies, such as OpenAI and xAI, have proactively implemented precautionary measures to limit these risks. Others, like Anthropic, have included the study without announcing any clear plans, while Google declined to comment on the results, which were published exclusively in Time magazine—raising further concerns among researchers about the seriousness of collective ethical commitments in AI development. Virology has not been a random focus; it has long been one of the key drivers behind AI advancement. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated that this technology has the potential to dramatically accelerate disease treatment. One encouraging example comes from researchers at the University of Florida, who developed an algorithm capable of predicting coronavirus mutations—boosting hopes for AI's role in protecting public health. Still, the lack of extensive studies on AI's ability to perform real laboratory tasks remained a clear gap. To address this, the research team designed highly specific tests that simulate problems difficult to solve through simple online searches, requiring deep analysis of realistic lab scenarios. The questions were framed in a practical manner, such as: 'I'm culturing this virus in a specific type of cell under certain conditions. A problem has occurred—can you identify the most likely error?' These tests weren't intended to question scientists' capabilities but rather to assess AI's feasibility as an assistant or potential alternative. While some view these advancements with optimism, others sound the alarm—especially as open-source models progress and make access to sensitive knowledge easier, often without sufficient safeguards. Thus, the future of AI in virology hangs between two stark possibilities: either it becomes a lifeline for humanity, or an unprecedented threat—unless its advancement is accompanied by equal progress in awareness, accountability, and strict global regulation.
Alalam24
16-05-2025
- Business
- Alalam24
A Hidden Memory That Changes the Game in the AI Race
In a new move that reflects Google's commitment to supporting developers and improving the user experience of AI models, the company has announced the launch of an 'implicit caching' feature in its AI programming tool, Gemini. This feature represents a major leap in terms of performance and efficiency, aiming to reduce the cost of 'repeated context' by up to 75%, making AI model usage significantly more cost-effective. Moreover, the feature is available in both the 'Gemini 2.5 Pro' and 'Gemini 2.5 Flash' versions, giving a wide range of users the opportunity to benefit from this update without manual intervention. Although caching is not a new concept in the AI world, what sets this new feature apart is that it works automatically, without requiring developers to predefine repeated requests. This reduces the workload and saves valuable time. The feature also represents a natural evolution following previous complaints directed at Google regarding the performance of explicit caching, which required developers to manually identify repeated queries — a process some considered burdensome and inefficient. In contrast, the new system allows developers to focus on building applications without worrying about unexpected cost increases. Google has automatically activated implicit caching within Gemini 2.5 models, improving operational efficiency and ensuring stable performance. Beyond the technical aspect, the economic impact of this feature appears promising, especially as reliance on AI-powered APIs continues to grow. By retaining frequently used data and responses, the model can avoid re-processing the same requests repeatedly, thereby reducing resource consumption and speeding up response times. For instance, when users repeat common questions, the system can reuse previous answers without draining processing power. Nonetheless, these latest improvements came as a direct response to criticism from the developer community — a sign of Google's openness to feedback and its willingness to adapt its services to market needs. With this development, Google is once again strengthening its position as a leading provider of AI solutions for developers, with a focus on simplifying the experience and lowering costs. If this direction continues, the Gemini tools are expected to see increased adoption in the near future, especially in development environments that demand speed and performance.
Alalam24
16-05-2025
- Health
- Alalam24
A Common Virus May Trigger Alzheimer's Disease
In a compelling development with new medical implications, a recent study has revealed a potentially alarming link between a common virus—often dismissed as harmless—and Alzheimer's disease, which continues to puzzle scientists. According to the British newspaper The Daily Mail, cytomegalovirus (CMV)—a virus that causes mild cold-like symptoms in about half of all adults—may play a hidden role in accelerating the onset of Alzheimer's. This virus, which quietly resides in the body, can in some individuals cause a chronic intestinal infection that allows it to enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the brain. Once there, it is detected by immune cells in the brain, known as microglia, which begin to react in a way that may gradually contribute to the biological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have expressed cautious optimism about these findings, calling them 'promising,' as they could pave the way for new treatment possibilities—particularly through exploring whether commonly used antiviral drugs might help prevent this complex form of dementia. At the same time, the researchers emphasized that being exposed to the virus—something that applies to nearly everyone—is not a reason for alarm or panic. Additionally, the results of this study were published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, lending scientific credibility to the discovery and highlighting the importance of continuing this line of research, which could significantly shift our understanding of Alzheimer's risk factors. Nevertheless, the road ahead is still long, and future studies will be crucial in determining whether this scientific hypothesis can lead to a reliable therapeutic approach to one of the most complex neurological diseases.
Alalam24
14-05-2025
- Health
- Alalam24
Finger Flexibility May Hide a Breathing Threa..tening Disorder
The unusual ability to bend fingers or extend the palm beyond its natural range is gaining increasing attention in medical circles. No longer seen as just a physical peculiarity, it is now being considered a potential sign of an underlying condition that could have serious consequences for respiratory health. Experts suggest that this excessive flexibility — known as joint hypermobility — may indicate a weakness in the body's connective tissues, which are vital structures supporting bones, muscles, and organs, including the lungs. Medical estimates suggest that these tissues make up about a quarter of the lungs' weight and provide them with essential structural support. Any dysfunction in them can therefore directly impact breathing efficiency, airway stability, and increase the risk of conditions such as asthma or sleep apnea. Joint hypermobility is typically assessed using the Beighton score, a diagnostic tool that awards points based on a person's ability to perform highly flexible movements — such as bending the pinky finger at a sharp angle or touching the floor with flat hands without bending the knees. A score of five or more out of nine is considered indicative of hypermobility in adults. In some cases, this sign is part of a genetic syndrome known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) — a disorder that affects the production of crucial proteins like collagen and elastin, weakening connective tissue throughout the body, including in the respiratory system. Clinical observations show that individuals with this syndrome often struggle to recover from respiratory infections, experience shortness of breath, weakened respiratory muscles, and frequent collapses of both the upper and lower airways. Other symptoms include excessive joint flexibility, fragile skin prone to bruising, chronic fatigue, joint pain, and digestive or urinary issues, along with concentration difficulties. Although there is no definitive cure for this inherited disorder, doctors recommend therapeutic approaches that include physical therapy sessions, wearing joint braces and orthotics, and undergoing comprehensive evaluations due to the syndrome's wide-ranging effects on the body. Diagnosis is based on a thorough clinical examination and analysis of related symptoms. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is currently classified into 13 different types, according to criteria set by specialized medical associations.
