The Graduate School of Healthcare Management at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has announced a brand-new, ground-breaking AI in Healthcare course, delivered in partnership with Microsoft and featuring a lifelike AI-powered avatar of Dr John Sheehan, consultant radiologist and healthtech innovator.

Course content is available free to access online for anyone anywhere in the world. The programme is open to all with an interest in the topic, but is particularly geared towards healthcare professionals, managers, administrators and allied healthcare professionals seeking to understand and apply AI in clinical and non-clinical roles, with no prior AI experience required.

The course, a pioneering new offering among RCSI’s Postgraduate portfolio, was announced at a keynote event at the WHX Tech conference in Dubai, where RCSI has a significant regional hub and alumni base.

Dr John Sheehan, consultant radiologist and adjunct faculty, RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management, said: “AI isn't replacing clinicians – it's amplifying our capabilities and allowing us to focus on the human elements of care.

“The rapid evolution of AI creates an urgent need for safe, ethical and effective adoption that supports clinicians, patients, and health systems. Here are four things that everyone, from senior professionals to patients, would agree we need: safer clinical decision-making, smarter resource allocation, more compassionate patient care, and enhanced professional development.

“How can we use AI to achieve these shared goals? Solutions are already available, and this course is an important milestone on that journey for newcomers and experienced professionals alike.”

A pioneer in clinical AI implementation and evaluation, Dr Sheehan trained at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, has held clinical and strategic roles at Blackrock Health, Mobile Medical Diagnostics and xWave Technologies, and serves as Chair of Innovation at the AIMS Summit. Participants in his programme study practical examples, case studies, and interactive elements across four modules: Core Concepts and Applications, Ethics, Safety & Governance, Clinical Applications, and Administrative Applications.

Justin Ralph, Chief Technology Officer, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “Not a day goes by without new claims for the potential of AI being made, but at RCSI we are in a proven position to lead on the subject and separate reality from hype.

“The delivery of world-leading postgraduate education on a state-of-the-art online learning platform is a central to RCSI’s strategy, and this ground-breaking collaboration with Microsoft is another step forward in what we call 'mission-driven education'. As part of RCSI's aim to democratise healthcare learning, our new AI in Healthcare CPD course will reduce barriers to advanced medical education and help build a global community of practice.”

Kevin Marshall, Head of Future Skilling, Microsoft, said: “By any measure, Microsoft and RCSI are leaders in their fields – and the opportunity to work together comes at a hugely exciting time. This collaboration puts the very latest skills and technologies into the hands of anyone who needs them: powerful, industry-changing tools are ready to roll out into hospitals, clinical settings, laboratories and every kind of healthcare-sector workplace. Our free-to-access offering aims to improve healthcare services by enhancing professional skills – and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

There are no entry requirements or a formal application process, meaning participants can sign up and begin learning immediately. An estimated completion time of ten hours varies based on participants' pace and level of engagement with optional resources. Knowledge acquisition takes place via multiple-choice quizzes for each module, short reflective exercises to apply concepts to participants' own context, and a final knowledge check to confirm course completion.

Alison Milton, Irish Ambassador to the UAE, helped to launch the programme on stage in Dubai and said: “Today’s launch of the new AI in Healthcare programme is a powerful demonstration of innovation and collaboration and reflects Ireland’s forward-looking approach to healthcare education, and its alignment with the UAE’s ambition to be a global leader in digital transformation.”

Sara McDonnell, Executive Director, RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management and RCSI Online, said: “At the RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management, we equip healthcare professionals with practical tools to transform healthcare systems immediately. Leaders, managers, administrators and clinicians worldwide turn to us to prepare for the future of healthcare leadership and change. Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence now sits on their priority list.

“Our decision to offer programme content as free-to-access is an important one. Recently named the Times Higher Education (THE) world number one university for UN SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, RCSI is proud of our mission to 'educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health' and this course represents a significant contribution. By delivering cutting-edge AI expertise – freely accessible to anyone, anywhere – we are also making a substantial statement about the strength of our offering, and the innovation and scale behind our fully online portfolio of postgraduate courses.

“We wish all participants the very best on their learning journey and in introducing transformative new solutions to their healthcare roles.”

Enrol in this course today here.