As healthcare systems grapple with a growing information gap, statistics reveal the urgency for innovative solutions with artificial intelligence (AI) being seen as a gamechanger.
According to various surveys, 72% of people distrust health information sourced online, while 42% feel inadequately informed about healthcare matters, leaving millions vulnerable to misinformation.
Experts at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, at a meeting here recently highlighted the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing health awareness and patient education empowerment.
Dr. Kavita Narayan, Senior Technical Advisor, HRH for Health Systems at the Union Health Ministry, highlighted the role of AI in addressing this challenge. She said, “A good health system is one that isn’t reliant on individuals. AI can play a vital role in making healthcare more accurate, compassionate, and equitable. To truly make a difference, we must integrate technology thoughtfully and ensure collaboration between policymakers, technologists, and healthcare providers.”
Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, Delhi underscored the ongoing efforts to transform healthcare delivery through technology. He shared ambitious plans for AIIMS’ digital expansion, stating, “AI is revolutionizing everything from patient care to health communication. “We are investing over Rs 300 crore in digital infrastructure to ensure that every stakeholder—patients, doctors, and researchers—benefits from this innovation. By integrating AI, we can improve efficiency, reduce delays, and enable world-class research.”
Dr. Srinivas also emphasised that leveraging AI to simplify and disseminate health information will empower patients and improve their engagement with healthcare systems, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
A standout example of AI’s application in healthcare communication is Humeta, a custom-trained AI model introduced by Daleep Singh Manhas, Co-Founder and CEO of Healthpresso. Speaking about its potential, he explained, “Healthcare is a sensitive field where credibility is paramount. Humeta is trained on over a million data points from trusted medical sources like The Lancet and PubMed, ensuring that the information it generates is both accurate and up-to-date.”
Manhas further elaborated on how Humeta tackles the challenge of accessibility: “63% of people find it difficult to understand medical content. With Humeta, we simplify complex medical concepts into digestible and credible formats—text, visuals, and interactive tools—ensuring that patients are empowered with reliable information they can trust.”
By combining accuracy, real-time data retrieval, and compliance with global healthcare standards, AI tools like Humeta are paving the way for a more inclusive and informed healthcare ecosystem.
Although AI offers unprecedented potential, experts caution against overdependence on technology at the expense of human connection. Dr. KP Kochhar, Professor & Head of the Physiology Department at AIIMS, stressed the importance of balancing innovation with empathy in healthcare. She remarked, “While AI can enhance precision and efficiency, we must preserve the human touch in healthcare. Compassion and technology must work together to create systems that prioritize the well-being of patients.”
