AIIMS + IIT = A World of Hope

A patient on the Axonic Health platform, a leading healthcare technology company, expressed concern to the AI doctor, “Kal se mere pet mein dard ho raha hai” (I have had stomach pain since yesterday). What followed was a remarkable interaction. The responses of the doctor's AI avatar were surprisingly impressive—not just because he conversed fluently in Hindi, but because of the depth of his investigative inquiries and the thoughtful recommendations he provided, mirroring the expertise of a seasoned medical professional. Adding to the amazement, when requested, the AI doctor seamlessly switched to English, further showcasing its advanced capabilities.

The way the healthcare industry embraces AI is nothing short of impressive. India, one of the largest healthcare markets in the world, can't afford not to be at the forefront of AI in healthcare. Be it machine learning in medicine, AI-powered diagnostics, Telemedicine, predictive analytics in healthcare, AI-driven drug discovery, or Medical imaging AI, India must lead this time.

One of the greatest omens toward this is the recent news of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) joining hands with IIT Delhi to establish a Centre of Excellence for AI in healthcare. The new CoE will focus on developing AI-based solutions to support key national health programs in the country. Last year, the two institutes were awarded a grant of Rs 330 crore by the Ministry of Education under the initiative ‘Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India'. It’s a sure bet that a partnership between the two premium institutes in the country has the potential to transform AI for affordable healthcare. With immense hopes in mind, we present this year’s special issue based on the reputed global alumni of AIIMS. Do let us know your thoughts.