The first AI Symposium brought students, clinicians, researchers, educators and technology professionals together in Peshawar for three days of learning designed to make artificial intelligence more accessible, practical and relevant to medicine, research and global surgery.
From curiosity to capability
Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how healthcare professionals learn, conduct research, interpret information and think about the future of clinical care. But access to technology alone does not create meaningful progress. Students and professionals also need opportunities to understand what these tools can do, where their limitations lie, and how they may be applied responsibly.
The GSRH AI Symposium was developed around that challenge. Under the theme “AI Sab Keliye” — AI for Everyone, the programme placed accessibility at the centre of the conversation and brought together medicine, surgery, research and innovation in one multidisciplinary learning environment. The event reflects an important direction for GSRH: preparing young professionals not simply to observe technological change, but to engage with it critically and constructively.
Learning beyond the lecture hall
The symposium was designed around both discussion and participation. The programme explored clinical AI, AI-supported research, emerging applications in healthcare and the future relationship between artificial intelligence and surgical practice.
A particularly practical dimension was introduced on Day 2. Dr Imran Mohib, Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon at Northwest General Hospital, led “Inside the Surgery: Watch, Learn & Ask” on 8 May. Students and faculty from Northwest School of Medicine, together with participants from other medical colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, explored ENT and head-and-neck procedures while engaging directly with the surgeon through discussion and questions.
Other program components included hands-on activities and workshops, reflecting an effort to connect emerging technology with real learning rather than treating AI as an abstract topic.
AI, surgery and human expertise
The final morning placed the future of healthcare at the centre of the discussion. Dr Almas Fasih Khattak opened the session, followed by welcome remarks from Prof. Dr Tariq Khan and Prof. Dr Amir Khan, Principal of NWSM. Dr Ahmad Hassan Afridi then addressed the wider transformative role of AI.
A dedicated keynote by Dr Adnan Khan examined AI in the Future of Global Surgery, including the ways intelligent systems may influence precision, decision-making and healthcare outcomes.
The morning culminated in a panel on “Human Expertise vs. AI Systems,” bringing together Dr Adnan Khan, Dr Irfan Kabir, Dr Naheed and Dr Obaid. Rather than positioning AI simply as a replacement technology, the discussion examined the relationship between human judgement and increasingly capable systems.
Why this matters for GSRH
For GSRH, the significance of the symposium goes beyond introducing students to a new technology. It demonstrates how a regional global-surgery platform can create spaces where clinical education, research, innovation and student leadership intersect.
Technology becomes meaningful in healthcare when people have the knowledge, judgement and opportunity to use it responsibly.