AI Will Not Replace Doctors, Says Anupriya Patel; Urges AI Literacy in Healthcare Sector

AI Will Not Replace Doctors, Says Anupriya Patel; Urges AI Literacy in Healthcare Sector​

New Delhi, February 17: Concerns that artificial intelligence could replace doctors and clinicians are largely unfounded, Union Minister Anupriya Patel said on Tuesday, asserting that AI is designed to assist and augment medical professionals rather than displace them.

Speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, Patel, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, called on the medical community to become AI literate and embrace the technology as a supportive tool. She emphasized the need for cost-effective AI solutions that are ethical, responsible, and tailored to India’s unique healthcare challenges.

AI in Healthcare: A Tool to Assist, Not Replace Clinicians​

Addressing the ongoing debate over AI’s role in medicine, Patel acknowledged that while many doctors recognize the transformative potential of AI, some remain apprehensive about its impact on clinical practice.

She clarified that AI cannot replace clinicians because healthcare extends beyond algorithms and automation. According to her, AI is here to assist doctors by handling routine, high-volume tasks, allowing specialists to focus on complex cases and critical clinical decision-making.

Routine processes, she said, can be efficiently managed by AI systems, reducing the burden on doctors. Even non-specialist practitioners stand to benefit, as AI tools can enhance their capabilities and enable them to function at the peak of their expertise.

Patel reiterated that the fear of AI replacing doctors is misplaced, as medicine is not solely a scientific discipline but also an art grounded in human connection.

Human Touch and Empathy Remain Irreplaceable​

The minister stressed that healthcare thrives on empathy, compassion, and communication between a clinician and a patient. These human elements, she said, cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence.

While AI can support diagnosis and streamline workflows, it cannot provide the emotional reassurance and human interaction that patients require during treatment. Only trained clinicians can deliver the compassion and empathy central to effective healthcare delivery.

Call for AI Literacy Among Doctors​

Instead of viewing AI as a threat, Patel urged medical professionals to focus on developing AI literacy. She encouraged clinicians to prepare for a future where technology complements their work and enhances healthcare outcomes.

Future-ready doctors, she said, must understand and effectively use AI tools. AI cannot compete with clinicians but can compensate for gaps and strengthen the overall healthcare system.

‘AI for India’ Means Inclusive Healthcare​

Patel described AI for India as “All Inclusive,” highlighting that the true measure of AI’s power lies in its ability to address health inequities and improve access to care.

For the government, she said, AI is not just about sophisticated algorithms or precision technologies. Its real impact is seen in how it touches lives and bridges gaps in healthcare access, particularly in a country with a vast and diverse population.

India faces challenges such as the rural urban divide and the dual burden of communicable and non communicable diseases. Technology, she noted, is essential in addressing these systemic issues as the country moves toward its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Government Integrates AI Across Health Ecosystem​

Patel highlighted that AI has been integrated throughout the national health continuum, from disease surveillance and prevention to diagnosis and treatment.

AI tools are being used to monitor digital news in up to 13 languages to issue disease alerts. Under the One Health Mission, the Indian Council of Medical Research has launched an AI-based tool that surveys genomes and predicts zoonotic outbreaks before transmission from animals to humans.

In the fight against tuberculosis, the government has deployed AI-enabled handheld X-ray devices to strengthen detection and elimination efforts.

Given India’s large population and resource constraints, Patel emphasized the importance of scalable and frugal AI solutions that address systemic gaps rather than replicating models designed for resource-rich settings.

Ethical and Responsible AI Use in Healthcare​

The minister also underlined the need for strong regulatory frameworks to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI in healthcare.

She noted that robust regulatory structures have been put in place to govern AI deployment, and the Indian Council of Medical Research has issued guidelines on the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Patel concluded that AI, when used responsibly and inclusively, can significantly transform India’s healthcare system while preserving the central role of doctors and clinicians.