AI in Digital Healthcare Sparks Debate at Staffordshire University
The University of Staffordshire recently hosted a vibrant and thought-provoking event on AI in Digital Healthcare, co-organised by its Smart Systems, AI and Cybersecurity Research Centre (SSAICS) and AR International Holdings Ltd. The event, held on the 31st July 2025 brought together healthcare professionals, innovative entrepreneurs, and leading academics, united by a shared passion for how artificial intelligence can shape the future of healthcare delivery.
Presenters and panellists included Rajiv Rai - Co-founder and CEO at ALCROEN, Alka Mehta Founder of AR International Holdings Ltd, Olayinka Kowobari – Founder and CEO at Mo Personal Trainer (MoPT), and Richard Wood – CEO at Rocketeer Group. They were joined by Josh Newbury MP and Councillor Amjid Wazir OBE of Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The panel session was chaired and moderated by Khawar Hameed.
Key themes discussed during the event included:
The pressing need for high-quality healthcare data to support AI development – a challenge many agreed must be addressed to unlock innovation and growth.
Whether existing healthcare policies, procedures, and governance, while designed to safeguard patients, might also be slowing the adoption of AI.
How to translate AI from theory into real-world improvements for patient care and business development.
Political support for the sector’s growth was evident, with both policy-makers and practitioners acknowledging AI’s potential to revolutionise healthcare services. Yet, as discussions revealed, overcoming the barriers will require collaboration between researchers, businesses, regulators, and the public.
With its blend of expertise and enthusiasm, the event underscored Staffordshire’s growing role as a hub for digital healthcare innovation – and the importance of open dialogue in shaping AI’s future in the sector.
