This pioneering project aims to help treat Alzheimer's and dementia patients by digitally reproducing realistic memories that simulate moments from the lives of patients who begin to fade using generative AI technology. This approach seeks to stimulate memory recalls while enhancing psychological and emotional responses.
Merge information to create visual content
The project is being implemented in collaboration with Spanish national data streamers in accordance with a specialized training programme to help psychologists qualify for applying the technology within a guided treatment plan. This innovation integrates information provided by patients and their families to generate personalized visual content that is applied to a therapeutic environment that is enhanced with the latest AI technology. This contributes to improving the quality of life for older people and those with memory impairment.
Storage memory
To align the technology with local cultural context, the Centre compiled archive images of various historical periods of the UAE, including photographs from the 1950s and 1960s, before the union was established. Researchers and historians specialized in the area analyzed and contextualized these images to ensure historical and cultural accuracy in model training.
After processing the visual material, the models were trained on localized datasets that reflected the cultural and social identities of the UAE. This pioneering experience has employed AI not only as a therapeutic tool, but also as a means of strengthening emotional and human connections between patients, their families and communities.
National Initiative
Abeer Tahlak, director of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation, said the “Synthetic Memory” project embodies the ambitious vision of the UAE government of innovation aimed at contributing to humanity, shaping a better future and ensuring the sustainability of government excellence. She emphasized that the project is a practical example of how the Centre transforms its challenges into viable opportunities across government sectors.
She added: “This project reflects the Centre's approach to using innovation as a fundamental tool for policy making and service delivery, representing a unique intersection of advanced technology and community needs, highlighting the importance of expanding and expanding innovative models across key sectors.
According to Tahlak, launching clinical trials for “synthetic memory” is a key milestone in the UAE's healthcare innovation and will strengthen the country's global leadership in creating and applying future-ready, technology-driven models in sectors most relevant to society.
Mental health
Dr Noor Al Muhail, director of mental health at Emirates Health Services, confirmed that the initiative reflects the organization's commitment to adopting future-looking treatment solutions that integrate scientific advancements with human needs. She said that “synthetic memory” opens up new therapeutic pathways that increase mental well-being, introduces innovative ways of emotional engagement with personal experiences, and supports recovery and psychological stability.
Dr. Ammar Hamid Al Bana, director of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, described the launch of the technology as a turning point for the future in psychological treatment. He explained that clinical trials represent a new phase that combines science, technology and the human mind, with synthetic memory emphasizing not just a therapeutic tool, but an emotional experience that reconnects patients with themselves and the past, opening new perspectives for recovery.
Encouragement results and an innovative future
A training workshop was held at Al Amal Hospital and in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation, we received strong positive involvement from mental health professionals. Participants were grateful to be prepared to integrate the scientific and human values of technology into clinical practice, in line with ethical and professional standards.
Initial clinical experiences with many patients showed encouraged results with significant improvements in emotional engagement and treatment responsiveness, looking at customized content. This contributed to more meaningful communication during treatment sessions and added personal and emotional aspects to the psychological experience. The clinical team noted that visually reexamining memories via real images and video clips adds a deeper layer of treatment, shaping new strategies in mental health treatment, and expanding the safe and effective application of AI in psychological care.
