WHX Labs in Dubai spotlights leadership skills shaping next-generation laboratories

Laila AbdelWareth, CEO, Diagnostics Global Patient Care, M42; Mark O'Brien, Associate Fellow and Programme Director, Oxford Healthcare Leadership Programme, Saïd Business School, Oxford University; Ziad Peerwani, Medical Director, Cleveland Clinic Reference Laboratory; Shweta Narang, Executive Director – Medical & Commercial Operations, Diagnostics, Global Patient Care, M42; and Rubina Lone, Consultant Pathologist, Dubai Health.

Speaking ahead of the session, Dr AbdelWareth said: “Transformational leaders are those who inspire others to achieve extraordinary outcomes and, in the process, develop their own leadership capacity. In the context of AI and automation, they are the laboratory leaders that anticipate emerging technologies, design future workflows and strategically steer laboratories into digital maturity.”

She added that leaders must be equipped not only to deliver operational improvements, but to take responsibility for safe, ethical adoption of AI across diagnostics and patient pathways. “Leaders must apply ethical judgement, implement safeguards, and ensure compliance with accreditation, validation, and safety standards as AI introduces new liabilities — model errors, bias, drift and more,” she said.  

The session will also examine how laboratory roles and career pathways should evolve as AI takes on a growing share of routine and analytical tasks. Dr. AbdelWareth explained: “AI is not simply adding tools to our workflow; it is reshaping the skills architecture of the entire profession. Career pathways must evolve from traditional, linear ladders to dynamic, multi-track growth routes that align with digital diagnostics, advanced analytics and quality-driven oversight.”

She noted that future-focused laboratory teams will increasingly include emerging roles such as AI-augmented laboratory professionals, AI algorithm supervisors, laboratory informatics liaisons, and automation and workflow architects, with AI literacy becoming a baseline requirement for all laboratory professionals.

Looking ahead, Dr. AbdelWareth said leadership skillsets are shifting from traditional management to strategic and human-centric capabilities that support high-performing teams through uncertainty, with the next generation of laboratory leaders defined not by how well they manage routine processes, but by how effectively they harness, govern, and ethically oversee AI-driven diagnostic environments.

Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director, Informa Markets, said: “Laboratories are entering a new era where technologies such as AI and automation are accelerating progress across diagnostics, quality and operational performance. This session will provide practical insights into how the industry must adapt to ensure laboratories can harness innovation safely, ethically and effectively.”

The region’s leading laboratory and diagnostics event, WHX Labs in Dubai will bring together the global laboratory community to discover cutting-edge diagnostics, technology and innovation. The event is held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to delivering world-leading healthcare.

WHX Labs in Dubai is co-timed with World Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai, held at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) from 9-12 February, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a global hub for healthcare innovation. Together, the two events are set to welcome over 270,000 healthcare professionals and 4,800 exhibitors from more than 180 countries.

Marking a quarter of a century of success, WHX Labs in Dubai will be held under the theme “25 years of laboratory innovation: Uniting Communities for better health” and will present an international showcase of excellence in laboratories, diagnostics and precision medicine.

WHX Labs in Dubai coincides with World Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai, which will be held from 9-12 February at Dubai Exhibition Centre.

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