Name: Ziad Obermeyer, MD
Role:
Blue Cross of California Distinguished Associate Professor at UC Berkeley; Co-founder of Nightingale Open Science and Dandelion Health; AI Researcher and Physician.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Ziad Obermeyer’s net worth is estimated at $10 million.
Profile Overview:
Ziad Obermeyer is a Lebanese-American physician, researcher, and entrepreneur who works at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), medicine, and health policy. As a professor at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, he is renowned for his pioneering research on algorithmic bias in healthcare and the application of machine learning to improve medical decision-making. He is a co-founder of Nightingale Open Science and Dandelion Health, two organizations dedicated to democratizing access to healthcare data for AI innovation. Named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI (2023), Obermeyer’s work has shaped global conversations about ethical AI in medicine.
Bio:
Ziad Obermeyer was born in Beirut, Lebanon, during the country’s civil war. His family later migrated to Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned his undergraduate degree (BA) and medical degree (MD) from Harvard University and completed a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge.
Obermeyer began his career as a consultant at McKinsey & Co., working with pharmaceutical and global health clients before transitioning to academia. He served as an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, where he received the prestigious National Institutes of Health Early Independence Award. In 2016, he joined UC Berkeley as the Blue Cross of California Distinguished Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management.
Obermeyer’s research has appeared in leading journals such as Nature Medicine, Science, JAMA, and The New England Journal of Medicine. His groundbreaking work on racial bias in healthcare algorithms has influenced federal regulatory guidance and led to testimony before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in 2024.
Ziad Obermeyer’s Role in Artificial Intelligence:
Ziad Obermeyer is a leader in applying AI to healthcare while addressing its ethical challenges. His research focuses on using machine learning to improve medical decision-making, such as predicting cardiac arrest risk from electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms. He has also exposed how widely used healthcare algorithms perpetuate racial bias, prompting changes in how these systems are designed and regulated.
Through Nightingale Open Science, Obermeyer provides open access to large medical imaging datasets for researchers worldwide. At Dandelion Health, he works on creating data platforms that enable AI developers to build better healthcare solutions while maintaining high ethical standards.
Nationality:
Lebanese-American
Age:
Approximately 38 years old (as of March 21, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree: BA from Harvard University.
- Medical Degree: MD from Harvard Medical School.
- Master’s Degree: MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge.
Sources of Wealth:
- Academic Career: Blue Cross Distinguished Professorship at UC Berkeley.
- Nightingale Open Science: Co-founder; nonprofit providing open medical datasets.
- Dandelion Health: Co-founder; data platform for AI innovation.
- Consulting: Former consultant for McKinsey & Co.
- Speaking Engagements & Recognition: Named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI (2023).
Random Fact:
Ziad Obermeyer took up surfing after moving to California, describing it as an exciting challenge that mirrors his passion for learning new things.
Ziad Obermeyer’s career exemplifies his commitment to improving healthcare through innovative applications of AI while addressing systemic inequities. His leadership continues to influence the future of ethical AI development in medicine globally.
Check here to see the most influential people in AI
