Key Points
- MeitY Secretary highlights AI potential for disease screening, remote ICU monitoring and surgical planning
- STPI offers startup connections to venture capital networks through IndiaAI Mission support
- IIT BHU establishes Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship to nurture tech startups
Artificial intelligence can significantly improve healthcare accessibility for communities with limited access to medical services, S Krishnan, secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), said at a technology conclave in Varanasi on 17 October.
Speaking at the event organised by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and IIT BHU’s Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), Krishnan outlined specific applications where AI could strengthen clinical outcomes. These include disease screening programmes, medical diagnostics, remote intensive care unit monitoring and AI-assisted surgical planning, he said.
The secretary emphasised the need to integrate AI education across disciplines and called for stronger collaboration between IIT BHU, STPI, industry and startups to develop scalable healthcare and assistive technology solutions.
Startup ecosystem
Krishnan highlighted support available through the IndiaAI Mission and other MeitY initiatives, pointing to STPI’s role in connecting startups with investors, venture capital networks and market opportunities. The IndiaAI Mission is the government’s flagship programme to build domestic AI capabilities through compute infrastructure, datasets and startup support.
“Artificial Intelligence can play an important role in making healthcare more accessible, strengthening clinical decision-making and improving service delivery, particularly for communities with limited access to healthcare services,” Krishnan said.
Arvind Kumar, director general, STPI, reflected on the transformation of India’s technology ecosystem over three decades. STPI has facilitated the growth of India’s IT and IT-enabled services industry since 1991, he noted, and the organisation now sees an opportunity to replicate this success in artificial intelligence through indigenous innovation.
“Today’s startup ecosystem enables young innovators to become job creators,” Kumar said, pointing to STPI’s 27 Centres of Entrepreneurship across the country. He emphasised the importance of translational research, which involves converting laboratory findings into practical applications, along with intellectual property creation and market access.
Kumar called for strengthening startup ecosystems beyond established technology hubs, particularly in emerging regions, through closer collaboration among academic institutions, industry and government.
IIT BHU incubation
Amit Patra, director, IIT BHU, outlined the institution’s efforts to build its startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem through CIIE. The centre aims to nurture entrepreneurial thinking among students, faculty and aspiring innovators, enabling them to transform ideas into viable startups, he said.
“We need to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with multiple funding sources and build a sustainable pipeline of startups,” Patra said, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to fostering technology-driven entrepreneurship.
STPI operates under MeitY and supports innovation across technology domains including the Internet of Things, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, animation, data science, fintech, agritech, medtech and cybersecurity. The organisation has played a central role in India’s IT industry growth since its establishment in 1991.
Your Questions, Answered
What AI applications in healthcare did MeitY highlight?
MeitY Secretary S Krishnan outlined disease screening programmes, medical diagnostics, remote intensive care unit monitoring and AI-assisted surgical planning as areas where AI could strengthen clinical outcomes and improve accessibility.
What support is available for AI healthcare startups in India?
The IndiaAI Mission and other MeitY initiatives provide support, with STPI connecting startups to investors, venture capital networks and market opportunities through its 27 Centres of Entrepreneurship.
What is IIT BHU's role in AI healthcare innovation?
IIT BHU has established the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship to nurture entrepreneurial thinking among students and faculty, helping them transform ideas into viable startups with access to multiple funding sources.
How does STPI support technology startups?
STPI, operating under MeitY since 1991, provides startup support through industry linkages, translational research assistance, intellectual property creation guidance and market access across 27 centres nationwide.
