Professor Shafi Ahmed

Co-Founder & CEO of Medical Realities, Conductor of The World’s First Virtual Reality Operation, Non-Executive Director for Medic Bleep & Nobel Oeace Prize Nominee

Shafi Ahmed’s Biography:

Professor Shafi Ahmed is a multi-award-winning surgeon, innovator and global pioneer in digital health and medical education. Recognised as one of the Top 50 Innovators in Artificial Intelligence in 2023 by Intelligent Health AI, he is internationally known for transforming surgical training through immersive technologies. As CEO and Co-Founder of Medical Realities, and Chief Medical Metaverse Officer at Aimedis, Shafi has positioned himself at the forefront of healthcare innovation. His groundbreaking work in virtual and augmented reality has reshaped how clinicians are trained and how patients engage with medicine worldwide.

Shafi’s academic leadership began with his role as Associate Dean at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he launched the Barts X Medicine Programme to embed emerging technologies and entrepreneurship into medical training. In 2014, he gained global attention by streaming a live cancer operation using Google Glass to 55,000 students across 140 countries. That same year, he conducted the world’s first virtual reality operation, reaching over 55,000 viewers in 140 countries and pioneering immersive surgical education.

He went on to co-found Medical Realities, developing the world’s first VR interactive surgery training module and expanding access to high-quality medical education globally. Shafi has served as Medical Director of Surgery International, Non-Executive Director at Medic Bleep and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London. He has also chaired and co-founded the Global Innovation and New Technologies conference in London, chaired WEBIT Health in Bulgaria and acts as Medical Advisor to Google and Johnson and Johnson. In addition, he established the Shafi Ahmed Foundation International to support healthcare access and innovation.

Shafi’s influence extends across academia and publishing as an Associate Editor of the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons. His pioneering contributions to technology-enabled healthcare have led to global recognition, including a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Through his clinical, academic and entrepreneurial work, he continues to redefine the intersection of medicine, artificial intelligence and immersive technology.

Why Hire Shafi Ahmed?

Professor Shafi Ahmed is hired as a speaker for his ability to demonstrate how emerging technologies can transform healthcare delivery, education and global collaboration. As a pioneer of virtual reality surgery and immersive medical training, he provides practical, first-hand insight into how artificial intelligence, robotics and the metaverse are reshaping clinical practice and patient outcomes.

His TEDx talk, ‘Connecting a Billion Minds‘, showcases his vision for democratising medical knowledge through technology and global connectivity. Combined with his advisory roles to major technology organisations and leadership of international innovation summits, Shafi delivers compelling, future-focused keynotes that inspire healthcare, technology and corporate audiences to embrace digital transformation with confidence and purpose.

Shafi Ahmed’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Shafi Ahmed’s impressive career:

• 2026 – Officially launched The Surgeon Show in London, a high-impact summit bringing together over 60 surgical and healthcare leaders to explore robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
• 2023 – Named one of the Top 50 Innovators in Artificial Intelligence by Intelligent Health AI.
• 2023 – Served as CEO of Medical Realities, advancing immersive surgical education technologies.
• 2022 – Appointed Chief Medical Metaverse Officer at Aimedis, shaping digital healthcare strategy.
• 2022 – Served as Medical Director of Surgery International, leading global surgical initiatives.
• 2020 – Became Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, contributing to medical education and research.
• 2017 – Chaired the Health Summit at Webit.Foundation, leading discussions on health innovation.
• 2016 – Appointed Non-Executive Director at Medic Bleep, supporting healthcare communication technology.
• 2014 – Conducted the world’s first virtual reality operation, reaching a global audience across 140 countries.
• 2014 – Streamed a live operation using Google Glass to students in over 130 countries, gaining international recognition.
• 2010 – Served as Associate Dean at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, launching innovation-focused medical programmes.