Anupriya Patel urges new doctors to be AI-literate and AI-ready at AIIMS Mangalagiri convocation

Vijayawada: Asserting that artificial intelligence (AI) could never take over a clinician role, minister of state for health and family welfare Anupriya Patel called on the new doctors who graduate from their MBBS degree to be AI-literate and become AI-ready to augment capacity and efficiency in rendering medical care.Delivering the keynote address at the second convocation ceremony of AIIMS Mangalagiri on Tuesday, Anupriya Patel, who participated as the chief guest, said, "AI is no longer an option but has become a necessity, revolutionising all spheres of life. Leveraging AI in the medical profession will reduce the workload of healthcare professionals and enhance efficiency in diagnostic services."Highlighting the transformative strides made in India's healthcare sector, Anupriya Patel said: "India's healthcare story is being redefined. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, universal health coverage is no longer a distant goal but an achievable reality. Healthcare in India is transitioning from being a privilege to becoming a fundamental right."The MoS further described the convocation as a defining moment in the lives of young medical professionals, emphasising that while formal education concludes, learning in medicine must remain lifelong. She underscored that doctors carry the trust and aspirations of society and must combine clinical excellence with empathy and ethical practice.Education minister Nara Lokesh, who participated as the guest of honour, addressed the students at the convocation and reminded them that doctors occupy a unique moral space in society. He advised them not to "outsource empathy", stressing that compassion must remain central to medical practice even in an era of rapid technological advancement.Paying tribute to the selfless service of doctors during the Covid-19 pandemic, the speakers reaffirmed that while technology and AI will continue to advance healthcare, empathy, humility, and the healing power of human touch remain irreplaceable.On the occasion, degrees were conferred upon 49 MBBS graduates, 5 MD/MS postgraduate students, and 4 post-doctoral certificate course (PDCC) students.AIIMS Mangalagiri president Major General Dr Tapan Kumar Saha, AIIMS Mangalagiri executive director professor Dr Ahanthem Santa Singh, and others were present.