RIYADH: At the LEAP25 conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture unveiled a major initiative aimed at transforming animal healthcare through artificial intelligence.
The ministry launched the Artificial Intelligence Animal Health Platform, a system designed to monitor animal diseases, analyze veterinary data, and predict outbreaks with remarkable accuracy.
The launch was announced by Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti at the event, which was organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, Tahaluf Co., and the Events Investment Fund in February.
The platform forms part of the Kingdom’s broader push to integrate advanced technologies into agriculture and livestock management while advancing sustainability and food security goals. By collecting and analyzing real-time veterinary data, officials aim to reduce disease outbreaks, strengthen prevention strategies, and support veterinarians across the country.
According to the ministry, the platform uses AI to analyze veterinary records, monitor infections and fatalities, and forecast disease spread based on geographical and temporal data. The system integrates with the “An’am” database and uses ETL technologies to process field information gathered from veterinary clinics.
Veterinary clinics in Riyadh are already applying AI technology in day-to-day pet care. (Fluff n Woof Clinic)
“The platform is designed to monitor 151 types of animal diseases and contaminants, with a strategic focus on the top 10 major health threats, including foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, and peste des petits ruminants. The platform has successfully covered 185 regions and governorates, providing accurate forecasts regarding disease spread and high-risk areas,” Deputy Minister for Information Technology and Digital Transformation Abdulhamid bin Abdullah Al-Alawi told Arab News.
Early testing of the AI models has shown strong performance. According to ministry data, infection prediction accuracy reached 99.5 percent, while mortality prediction accuracy reached 99.1 percent. Forecasts for veterinary field visits recorded accuracy rates between 93 and 94 percent.
Officials say these capabilities will enable veterinarians to make faster, more informed decisions, shifting animal healthcare from reactive treatment toward preventive care.
“The platform functions as a digital compass by offering an early warning system that identifies high-risk areas, helping veterinarians make more effective and precise decisions. It also contributes to bridging expertise gaps in newly developing regions with lower levels of veterinary activity,” Al-Alawi said.
Looking ahead, the ministry plans to expand the platform’s capabilities to predict emerging and transboundary diseases before they reach the Kingdom. Future updates are expected to incorporate import and livestock shipment data to improve preparedness and reduce risks linked to global disease spread.
DID YOU KNOW?
• AI-enabled monitoring devices are increasingly allowing pet owners to track their animals’ health outside the clinic.
• Saudi authorities plan to expand the platform to predict emerging and transboundary diseases.
• AI is helping veterinarians move from reactive treatment to preventive care by analyzing real-time health data.
Data security has also been prioritized. Officials described the system as a “digital fortress,” with all data hosted on ministry servers within Saudi Arabia and protected through high-level encryption and data sovereignty standards.
Beyond improving animal health outcomes, the platform is expected to reduce vaccine waste, minimize livestock losses, and ease financial burdens on breeders, contributing to broader food security and agricultural sustainability objectives.
The ministry also plans to collaborate with private sector companies and international organizations to enhance AI models and improve data quality. Future updates will introduce additional tools for veterinarians and farmers aimed at improving efficiency and accelerating response times in the field.
While the government is deploying AI at a national level, veterinary clinics in Riyadh are already applying the technology in day-to-day pet care. Arab News visited Fluff n Woof Veterinary Clinic to observe how these tools are being used in practice.
“AI is transforming veterinary medicine from reactive care to predictive and data-driven care, helping us diagnose earlier, monitor continuously, and make faster clinical decisions,” Dr. Ahmed Mandour, cardiology consultant at the clinic, told Arab News.
In addition to diagnostics, AI has significantly streamlined administrative processes such as appointment scheduling, case triage,
client communication, and medical note generation. (Fluff n Woof Clinic)
At the clinic, AI tools are now widely used across diagnostic services, particularly in imaging and cardiology. AI-assisted radiology systems help detect fractures, tumors, and enlarged hearts using X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. Smart imaging analysis is also applied in laboratory diagnostics to interpret blood smears, cytology, and fecal samples.
Cardiology has emerged as one of the most advanced areas for AI adoption. Modern echocardiography machines, Doppler ultrasound devices, and monitoring systems now integrate AI-powered analysis to improve the detection of heart conditions.
“We have AI supported echocardiography/ultrasound device as well as ECG, blood pressure monitors,” he said.
Mandour noted that AI-enabled monitoring tools are also increasingly available for pet owners, allowing them to track cardiac health and support ongoing treatment plans outside the clinic.
In addition to diagnostics, AI has significantly streamlined administrative processes in veterinary clinics. Smart systems now assist with appointment scheduling, case triage, client communication through chatbots, and automated medical note generation.
AI tools are now widely used across diagnostic services, particularly in imaging and cardiology. (Fluff n Woof Clinic)
“In Riyadh, AI can help clinics handle high case loads while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy and client satisfaction,” Mandour told Arab News.
“AI reduces administrative burden so veterinarians can focus more on patient care. Our clinic is also supported with a smart software specific to enhance the daily routine work and including all steps of the pets journey from reservation till follow ups,” he said.
Although AI is becoming increasingly embedded in veterinary medicine, experts stress that it is intended to support, not replace, veterinarians. The emphasis remains on combining human expertise with faster data analysis, earlier diagnosis, and improved efficiency.
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in AI-driven healthcare systems, both public institutions and private clinics appear to be converging toward the same future: one in which technology plays an expanding role in safeguarding animal health and improving care for pets and livestock alike.
