National Medical Commission (NMC) chairperson Dr. Abhijat Sheth has said that artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming an integral part of modern healthcare, but the real challenge lies in preparing doctors and healthcare systems to use the technology responsibly. Speaking at the HealthAIcon 2026 conference, Sheth emphasized that AI adoption in healthcare must remain ethical, safe, and aligned with real clinical needs rather than being driven purely by technological hype.
Dr. Sheth stressed that medical education in India must evolve to reflect the growing role of AI in clinical practice. According to him, traditional medical training alone is no longer sufficient because AI tools are already being integrated into diagnostics, treatment planning, and hospital workflows. He argued that doctors should be trained to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, understand the limitations of these systems, and maintain independent clinical judgment while using advanced technologies.
The conference also marked the launch of the “National AI Doctors Mission,” an initiative aimed at improving AI literacy among healthcare professionals across India. Experts at the event discussed how AI could improve diagnosis, speed up treatment, enhance medical research, and reduce gaps between public and private healthcare systems. Organizers said the goal is to create structured learning pathways that help doctors, researchers, and policymakers adopt AI safely and effectively.
Healthcare leaders at the summit repeatedly emphasized that AI should support doctors rather than replace them. Speakers from institutions including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlighted that empathy, human connection, and ethical responsibility remain central to patient care. They also noted that India has the potential not only to become a major user of healthcare AI, but also a global creator of AI-driven healthcare solutions designed for large-scale, affordable, and patient-centric medical delivery.
