Indian doctors must adopt AI to remain competitive

Dr. Anurag Agrawal, dean of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University, believes artificial intelligence (AI) can transform healthcare, especially in education and training. He emphasized the need for Indian doctors to learn about AI tools as many are still unfamiliar with their use. Agrawal pointed out that AI will not replace doctors but that those who embrace AI could outpace their peers who do not. He noted that many healthcare professionals currently lack the skills to effectively use AI. Studies show that doctors untrained in AI often do not perform as well. He urged healthcare workers to gain early exposure to AI, highlighting its potential to address the current shortages in training and skilled personnel. Agrawal believes that AI, alongside virtual reality, could help create a more skilled workforce in medicine. He also underscored the challenges in medical education, stating that universities and tech institutions need to collaborate with medical schools to adapt to new demands. On the topic of air quality in Delhi-NCR, Agrawal, a pulmonologist, explained that poor air quality poses health risks, especially to children, leading to various respiratory diseases and other health issues for adults. Agrawal expressed skepticism about the hype surrounding digital health technologies like apps and wearables. He advised people to trust solutions certified by recognized medical bodies. Finally, he shared that the World Health Summit will be held in India, offering a chance to discuss health access and the impact of technology in this area.