Strategic semiconductor alliances with Taiwan, Singapore to bolster India’s AI future – ET HealthWorld
New Delhi: In an exclusive interaction, Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, MeitY, Nasscom Center of Excellence (CoE), speaks with Rashmi Mabiyan from ETHealthworld about the evolution of AI and IoT in India, particularly in the healthcare sector. He shares insights on India’s role in the global AI landscape, key learnings from China’s DeepSeek AI mission, and the significance of international collaboration in semiconductor development.
Q: How do you see AI and IoT evolving in India, particularly in the healthcare sector? What steps is the CoE taking to facilitate this integration?
AI is one of the most transformative technologies of our time. Over the past few years, AI and IoT have significantly impacted every domain, including government services and citizen-centric areas. Healthcare, in particular, is undergoing a major transformation.
AI-powered devices are becoming increasingly intelligent, especially in diagnostics. Assistive technologies enhance accuracy, reduce errors, and provide quicker preliminary results. While AI-generated analyses are not always final, they serve as valuable early assessment tools, saving time and improving patient outcomes. The synergy between AI and human expertise ensures that errors are minimized—what AI might miss, a human can catch, and vice versa. Ultimately, this leads to more accurate and timely diagnostics.
However, AI is not a replacement for large hospital machines. Instead, its adoption should focus on lower-risk areas, such as remote healthcare, where medical expertise is limited. AI can also enhance personalized care in urban settings, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
Q: What are your expectations from global AI summits, such as the recent one in France?
These summits are crucial for the exchange of ideas and innovations. They provide Indian startups with opportunities to showcase their products internationally while also learning from global advancements. My philosophy has always been that innovation cannot happen in isolation.
Many leading AI companies operate out of Europe and the U.S., making it essential to build strong partnerships. These forums help us share knowledge, adopt global best practices, and create opportunities for collaboration. Engaging with international players accelerates AI adoption and strengthens India’s position in the AI ecosystem.
Q: What key learnings can India take from China’s DeepSeek AI mission?
DeepSeek has been a turning point in the global AI landscape. A major takeaway is that developing foundational AI models doesn’t always require billions of dollars—we can leverage existing models and focus on application development.
The Indian government is actively supporting AI research by improving access to computing resources, including GPUs. Our focus remains on developing AI applications tailored to India’s unique healthcare challenges. We utilize the best available models—whether DeepSeek, OpenAI, LLaMA, or others—without being tied to any single platform. While global advancements like DeepSeek are significant, India must prioritize AI applications that address its specific needs rather than simply replicating others.
Q: Should India enhance collaboration with Taiwan and Singapore, given their expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and its importance for AI?
Absolutely. Collaboration is key—no single country can develop technology end-to-end in isolation. Today’s products incorporate expertise from multiple regions.
India is ramping up its semiconductor efforts, but catching up will take time. Partnering with countries like Taiwan and Singapore, which have established expertise in semiconductor manufacturing, will be crucial. At the same time, India’s strengths in AI application development can benefit these countries, making the collaboration mutually advantageous.
While India needs to improve in areas like semiconductor fabrication, we excel in AI-driven healthcare solutions. The global AI ecosystem should recognize India’s contributions to application development, just as we acknowledge their strengths in hardware and foundational AI models.
Q: Beyond AI and IoT, what emerging technologies are shaping the future of healthcare? How do you see them transforming the sector?
Several emerging technologies are complementing AI and IoT in healthcare, driving precision, efficiency, and security. Robotics is revolutionising surgeries, enhancing precision, and reducing human error. While robotic-assisted surgery is still dominated by Western countries, India is making progress, with several startups entering the space.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) help doctors visualize 3D anatomical structures before and during surgery, enabling more precise interventions while minimizing unnecessary incisions. These technologies are also transforming medical training, allowing doctors to practice complex procedures in a virtual environment.Blockchain technology is a game-changer for securing patient data and ensuring privacy. As healthcare records become increasingly digitized, maintaining confidentiality and preventing data breaches are critical. Blockchain ensures secure, decentralized storage, making medical information accessible only to authorized personnel.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and visual computing are helping digitize handwritten medical records, ensuring accurate transcription and seamless integration into electronic health records (EHRs). While direct digital input is encouraged, OCR remains valuable for digitising historical records and handwritten notes.When combined, these technologies are revolutionising healthcare—from diagnosis and surgery to patient data management—enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes.
Q: What excites you the most about AI’s future in Indian healthcare, and what role will Nasscom CoE play in shaping it?
The possibilities of AI in healthcare are expanding daily. AI can improve healthcare access, enable early disease detection, and significantly reduce fatalities, especially in underserved regions.
I’m particularly excited about the rapid growth of Indian AI startups. Thanks to supportive government policies and an expanding venture capital ecosystem, healthcare innovation is accelerating.
India is also poised to become a global provider of AI-driven healthcare solutions. At CoE, we are committed to making India a central hub for cutting-edge AI applications. Our goal is to connect international stakeholders with the best AI solutions emerging from India. Many groundbreaking innovations exist here that the world has yet to discover, and we aim to be the platform that brings them into the global spotlight.
