Artificial intelligence could improve healthcare access, affordability and clinical decision-making, particularly for underserved communities, Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S. Krishnan said at a technology conclave in Varanasi.
Organised by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and IIT BHU’s Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), the event brought together government officials, researchers, healthcare professionals and startups to explore practical AI applications.
Delivering the keynote address, Krishnan highlighted the potential of AI in disease screening, medical diagnostics, remote intensive care monitoring and surgical planning.
He called for AI education across disciplines and stronger collaboration between technology experts, medical researchers, industry and startups to develop scalable solutions.
Krishnan also highlighted support available through the IndiaAI Mission and other Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology initiatives.
STPI Director General Arvind Kumar said India could build on its IT and IT-enabled services experience to strengthen domestic AI innovation and entrepreneurship.
He highlighted STPI’s network of 27 Centres of Entrepreneurship and its role in connecting startups with investors, venture capital networks and market opportunities.
IIT BHU Director Professor Amit Patra outlined CIIE’s efforts to help students, faculty members and aspiring entrepreneurs turn ideas into viable businesses through structured support and funding access.
Speakers also stressed the need to expand startup opportunities beyond established technology hubs through partnerships between academia, industry and government.
The conclave featured two panel discussions addressing the development and deployment of AI-based healthcare technologies.
- AI for Health, Inclusion and Well-being: Examined how multidisciplinary research and entrepreneurship could improve accessible and inclusive healthcare.
- From Innovation to Impact: Explored how AI research could be translated into scalable healthcare and assistive products.
Participants included academics from IIT BHU and the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, representatives from MeitY and STPI, and founders of AI startups.
