Hyderabad: 18 November 2024: The Government of Telangana organized “AI in Healthcare Summit Road to BioAsia 2025” to deliberate the transformation potential of Artificial Intelligence in the healthcare sector with a focus on its relevance and application in India .Shri Duddilla Sridhar BabuHon’bleMinister for IT, Industries and Commerce Government of Telangana , Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS Special Chief Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industriesin the presenceofShri Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, Telangana Life Sciences Foundation inaugurated the summit. The event brought together healthcare professionals, industry experts, academicians and students to discuss and explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector.

A whitepaper on AI infused Pharma R&D whitepaper byHealtharkInsights  in partnership with C4IR Telangana, a whitepaper on the Growth and Evolution of Global Capability Centresin India by Deloitte, and a report on Cyber resilience in Hospitals – Safeguarding India’s healthcare industry in the digital age by Deloittein association with DSCI (Data Security Council of India).The logo for Lifesciences GCC Consortiumwas also launched at the summit.

Dr.D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology and AIG Hospitals, Mr Viren Shetty, Vice Chairman of Narayana Health, Dr Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Founder of Health Parliament, Academy of Digital Health Sciences and International Patient’s Union and Dr. Dean Ho, Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singaporedelivered the keynote addresses highlighting the scope and current uses of AI in healthcare and life sciences.

Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu Minister of Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana said, “Artificial Intelligence is one of the most significant technological breakthroughs of our time, bringing profound changes to industry, government, and society. The theme of today’s summit, ‘Unlocking the Potential of AI to Revolutionize Healthcare,’ resonates deeply with Telangana’s commitment to harnessing AI’s power to transform healthcare for millions. From revolutionizing drug discovery and diagnostics to enhancing patient care and safety, AI advancements represent a fundamental shift toward a more efficient, accessible, and patient-centred healthcare ecosystem.Our government has always been committed to fostering an environment that encourages innovation. Through several of our initiatives, we are laying the groundwork for Telangana to become a global AI hub. Our goal is to foster collaboration between the government, academia, and industry to drive solutions that address real-world healthcare challenges.

The minister added “Telangana has become a hub for companies exploring artificial intelligence, biotech, data science, and other advancements. The Telangana government recognizes the advantage we hold in terms of data availability, and we aim to capitalize on this responsibly to build best-in-class AI solutions.To further guide the development of AI in Telangana, we have established the Telangana AI Advisory Council. This council plays a crucial role in ensuring that AI growth in Telangana is inclusive, ethical, and aligned with our developmental goals. We are also actively studying global best practices in AI policy, drawing inspiration from around the world, to create a robust policy framework for our state.We will extend every possible support from the Government to help companies / institutions adopt AI in their operations and grow from Hyderabad. As a key support from Government, we plan to roll out a training program on AI and ML focused on life-sciences and healthcare. This will ensure ample supply of highly trained AI engineers and specialists for the companies. We are also working on establishinga university with focus on AI. We will also work towards improving the infrastructure such that Hyderabad continues to be at the forefront of AI. The proposed AI city will house state-of-the-art infrastructure for support AI activities. “

Hyderabad also hosts some of the largest development centres for technology giants outside their headquarters. Additionally, we have a thriving ecosystem of Life Sciences Global Capability Centres (GCCs) that have established their roots here. These centres are at the forefront of developing solutions in AI, data science, cloud computing, and beyond, setting global benchmarks.We were keen to get these companies together in a form of the “Life Sciences GCC consortium” to help synergize. I am delighted that the team has made significant progress in this direction and have hosted a series of consultations with the GCC leaders to identify the common themes. I also note that 3 sub-groups have been formed focused on talent, operational efficiency and supply ecosystem. I am sure this effort will benefit the GCC ecosystem immensely. “

As we continue to drive Hyderabad’s role as a leader in life sciences and healthcare, we invite global leaders to join us at BioAsia 2025 from 24th to 26th February. This 22nd edition will unite industry, academia, government, and regulatory bodies to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation. Hyderabad is not just a city of the future—it is actively building that future.”

Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS Special Chief Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries,, “ It is a privilege to address this gathering as we embark on an exciting journey towards BioAsia 2025. Telangana has always been a trailblazer in adopting innovation, and our commitment to leveraging AI in healthcare is a reflection of this ethos. AI is not merely a tool; it is a transformative force that is enhancing diagnosis, optimizing operations, and improving patient care. It empowers us to reimagine healthcare delivery, making it more accessible, efficient, and affordable. Our state has already implemented several AI-driven healthcare solutions across institutions, addressing critical challenges and enhancing outcomes. These advancements have made a significant impact, not just in urban centers but also at the grassroots level, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all. A key focus of our approach is on fostering indigenous innovation. By prioritising investment in local talent, creating region-specific datasets, and developing applications tailored to our unique needs, we are crafting AI solutions that are relevant and effective. AI in Healthcare Summit serves as a platform to exchange ideas, explore collaborations, and drive forward our collective vision of an AI-powered healthcare ecosystem. Together, we have the opportunity to position Telangana as a global hub for innovation and excellence in healthcare.”

Telangana, India’s youngest state, is at the forefront of leveraging AI to revolutionize healthcare, making it more accessible, efficient and affordable to its citizens. The summit highlighted Telangana’s commitment to being a global AI hub, with initiatives that integrate AI into healthcare systems. These efforts include AI-powered healthcare monitoring apps, which have enhanced research, diagnosis, pharmaceutical development, and data analysis. AI's ability to provide real-time, data-driven insights has already begun to reshape the traditional healthcare landscape.