New Delhi: National Medical Council chairman Dr Abhijat Sheth has called for evidence-based and ethical adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, asserting that the technology should augment doctors but not replace them.
Speaking at a National Consultation on AI Readiness for Healthcare, Education and Research here on Sunday, Dr Sheth stressed that doctors must remain responsible and accountable for medical decisions even as AI becomes increasingly integrated into clinical practice.
“AI should augment the doctor, not replace the doctor. Technology may assist in decisions, but the doctor must remain responsible for the decision, accountable for the decision, and the patient must remain at the centre of the decision,” he said.
The consultation, organised under the banner of the National Medical AI Mission (NMAIM), brought together several experts to deliberate on AI readiness of medical institutions, digital competency, institutional infrastructure, governance and ethics.
DR Sheth, who is also president of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, said AI education should cover not only its applications but also its limitations, including bias, errors and the risk of over-reliance on algorithmic outputs.
He called for the use of Indian datasets, validation in Indian settings and generation of Indian evidence to ensure that AI solutions reflect the country’s diverse population and healthcare realities.
“AI readiness must be integrated into medical education,” Dr Sheth said.
At the postgraduate level, he said, the focus could shift towards speciality-specific applications.
Dr Sheth also stressed that teachers must be equipped to use AI for assessment, research, critical appraisal and academic leadership.
“No transformation in medical education can succeed without transforming the capability of our teachers,” he said.
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary, present at the event, said AI should be viewed as an enabler of doctors rather than their replacement.
“AI will not replace doctors, but doctors who know how to use AI may be better equipped than those who do not,” he said.
Choudhary underscored the importance of retaining the human element in healthcare.
“Behind every dataset, there is a human being. Behind every diagnosis, there is a family. And behind every treatment decision, there is trust,” he said.
Choudhary also highlighted India’s opportunity to develop AI solutions suited to its disease burden, languages and rural-urban diversity.
Dr Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said infrastructure, competent human resources and ethical governance would be critical to creating an AI-ready healthcare ecosystem.
“Whatever purpose we are using AI for, there will be two outputs: better physicians for tomorrow and better healthcare for our people. And together, the impact is Ayushman Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047,” she said.
The consultation concluded with the Peacock Medical Education Excellence Awards, recognising contributions to digital transformation, AI readiness and innovation in medical education.
NMAIM chairman Dr Prem Aggarwal said the consultation marked an important step towards creating a collaborative roadmap for responsible AI adoption.
