Session- 1: Inaugural Session

The 7th edition of the InnoHEALTH Conference at IIIT Delhi brought together a diverse group of healthcare professionals, innovators, and visionaries. This year’s event was marked by powerful speeches, groundbreaking ideas, and heartfelt tributes to the late Surgeon Rear Admiral Dr. V.K. Singh, a pioneer in healthcare innovation.

The session began with a warm welcome from the master of ceremony, Ms. Tuba khan and Ms. Mariam Khan, who emphasized that innovation is the driving force behind improving healthcare outcomes. They introduced InnoHEALTH, a premier platform created by InnovatioCuris in partnership with IIIT Delhi, that fosters collaboration among global thought leaders and practitioners.

Key Highlights from the Esteemed Speakers

Dr. Tavpritesh Sethi

As the host representative from IIIT Delhi, Dr. Tavpritesh Sethi welcomed attendees, emphasizing the institute’s commitment to harnessing AI and digital technologies to transform healthcare and address global challenges like climate change. He reflected on Dr. Singh’s role in shaping the conference and commended the growing engagement of innovators in tackling real-world problems.

Major General Dr.Jagtar Singh

In a moving tribute to the late Dr. V.K. Singh, Major General Dr. Jagtar Singh recounted his unparalleled contributions to the Armed Forces Medical Services and civilian healthcare systems. He shared anecdotes about Dr. Singh’s visionary leadership, including his pioneering efforts in combat medical care, ambulance systems, and field hospital innovations. His speech was a heartfelt reminder of Dr. Singh’s humility, dedication, and unwavering commitment to innovation.

Dr. Shirshendu Mukherjee

Dr. Shirshendu Mukherjee, MD of Wadhwani Innovation Network, spoke about his collaborative journey with Dr. V.K. Singh, starting in 2010. He highlighted Dr. Singh’s foresight in nurturing India’s innovation ecosystem and recalled their joint initiatives, including grant-writing workshops for young innovators. Dr. Mukherjee described Dr. Singh as an exceptional mentor who valued teamwork and consistently empowered those around him to excel.

(Hony.) Brig.Dr. Arvind Lal

Honorary Brigadier Dr. Arvind Lal, Chairman of Dr. Lal Path Labs, reflected on the role of innovation in healthcare transformation. He lauded Dr. Singh’s leadership in managing crises and establishing healthcare systems during emergencies. Dr. Lal also emphasized the importance of regulation, collaboration, and investment in fostering a robust healthcare innovation ecosystem, projecting a bright future for India as a global leader in healthcare solutions.

Sachin Gaur

Director of Operations at InnovatioCuris, Sachin Gaur, expressed his gratitude to the speakers and attendees. He shared personal reflections on working with Dr. Singh, describing him as a mentor who championed innovation and inspired people from all walks of life. Sachin highlighted the importance of creating platforms for young innovators and urged participants to carry forward Dr. Singh’s legacy by fostering inclusive and impactful innovations.

Legacy of Dr. V.K. Singh

Throughout the conference, speakers reiterated Dr. Singh’s contributions, from his groundbreaking studies in ambulance systems to his global impact on healthcare management and innovation. His legacy, embodied in the InnoHEALTH platform, continues to inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders.

The InnoHEALTH Conference 2024 served as a testament to the transformative power of innovation and collaboration. The insights and experiences shared by the speakers not only honored Dr. Singh’s memory but also charted a course for a future where healthcare innovation thrives in making a global impact.

https://youtu.be/PFw9C7wQCDs

Session- 2: Navigating the AI Frontier

(Transforming Healthcare with Large Language Models)

The InnoHEALTH Conference 2024 witnessed a groundbreaking session titled “Navigating the AI Frontier: Transforming healthcare with Large Language Models,” bringing together experts from various domains to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern healthcare. Held at IIIT Delhi, the session delved into the opportunities, challenges, and future of Large Language Models (LLMs) in medical applications.

Setting the Stage for Innovation

The session began with an engaging introduction by the moderator, Mr. Sachin Gaur, Director of Operations at InnovatioCuris, who emphasized the paradigm shift AI is bringing to healthcare. He highlighted how LLMs have transitioned from futuristic concepts to indispensable tools, streamlining workflows and offering personalized healthcare solutions.

Interactive Demo: AI in Action

The session featured a live demo showcasing the capabilities of AI-powered virtual assistants. Attendees witnessed an AI medical assistant named “John” conducting a simulated patient interaction. The AI assistant demonstrated its ability to gather symptom details, generate structured reports, and provide preliminary assessments—all in real time.

This interactive demonstration underscored the practicality of AI in enhancing efficiency and accuracy in patient care. The audience was impressed by how such tools could transform mundane tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on critical decision-making.

Expert Insights and Discussions

1. Mr. Ganesh Gopalan, Co-founder and CEO of Gyani AI:
   With over 25 years of experience in technology and marketing, Mr. Gopalan showcased the practical applications of AI in healthcare. He highlighted how LLMs enhance patient care through real-time insights and scalable solutions, revolutionizing traditional medical practices.
2. Dr. Tavpratesh Sethi, Associate Professor of Computational Biology, IIIT Delhi:
   Dr. Sethi explored the use of LLMs in analyzing complex medical data, such as ICU monitoring and patient trajectory predictions. He stressed the need for interoperability and standardized frameworks to optimize AI’s integration into healthcare systems.
3. Kshitij Jadhav, Assistant Professor at Koita Center for Digital Health, IIT Bombay:
   Dr. Jada focused on how AI-powered tools can improve community health by providing scalable, customized solutions. He highlighted case studies where LLMs have been deployed successfully in resource-constrained settings to deliver timely medical advice.
4. Dr. Suvrankar Datta, Senior Resident, AIIMS Delhi:
   Dr. Datta shared his journey transitioning from clinical practice to AI research. He emphasized the potential of open-source AI tools in democratizing healthcare technology and enabling cost-effective solutions for Indian medical setups.
5. Dr. Amit Raj, Medical Director, Plexus Medcare:
   As a cardiologist with over a decade of experience, Dr. Raj underscored the importance of AI in generating precise and actionable medical reports. He advocated for the use of LLMs in simplifying complex medical terminologies for better patient comprehension.
6. Dr. Vijay Agrawal, President, Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO):
   Dr. Agrawal addressed the critical need for problem-centric AI solutions in healthcare. He proposed creating a directory of validated healthcare apps and tools to foster trust and ensure large-scale adoption of AI technologies.

A Glimpse Into the Future

The panelists collectively envisioned the evolution of AI in healthcare, identifying promising areas such as:

• Real-time patient monitoring: Continuous vital sign tracking to predict and prevent emergencies.
• Interoperable frameworks: Developing standardized systems to enhance data sharing and AI training.
• Open-source collaboration: Leveraging open-access tools to bridge resource gaps in global healthcare.
• Customizable AI models: Tailoring LLMs to specific clinical settings for optimized performance.

Celebrating Contributions

The session concluded with felicitation ceremonies for the speakers, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the conference. Attendees left inspired, with actionable insights to leverage AI in reshaping healthcare delivery.

The InnoHEALTH Conference 2024 exemplified how technology and innovation can converge to address complex healthcare challenges. By fostering dialogue among industry leaders, the event underscored the immense potential of AI to transform healthcare into a more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric system.

https://youtu.be/KRPMtqyJO2s?si=fcLtLhGfYBL43acR

Session- 3: The shift in healthcare AI

(From CNNs to Foundation Models, Vision-Language Models, and LLMs)

The InnoHEALTH 2024 conference, Session 3, titled “A Shift in Healthcare AI: From CNNs to Foundation Models, Vision-Language Models, and LLMs“, brought together a panel of experts who delved into how these technologies are reshaping diagnostics, predictive analytics, and patient care.

Highlights from the Panelists

Dr. Vasanth Venugopal (Moderator)

Dr. Vasanth opened the session by highlighting AI’s rapid evolution from a concept to a practical tool in healthcare. He emphasized the role of large language models (LLMs) and vision-based AI in improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. He underscored the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate these tools effectively into healthcare systems.

Dr. Devasenathipathy Kandasamy

Dr. Kandasamy discussed the transformative impact of AI in clinical research. He explained how machine learning algorithms streamline clinical trials by automating data analysis and patient recruitment. This has significantly reduced time and costs associated with research. He also stressed the ethical considerations of using AI in clinical settings, advocating for transparency and robust data governance.

Dr. Tarun Kaushik

Drawing from his experience in nephrology, Dr. Kaushik focused on AI’s application in managing kidney diseases. He highlighted AI-powered dialysis machines that monitor patient vitals and blood parameters in real time. These systems can optimize treatment plans and predict complications, improving patient outcomes. Dr. He also addressed the cost challenges of implementing AI technologies in resource-constrained environments but expressed optimism about their future accessibility.

Dr. Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar

Dr. Majumdar introduced the concept of Quantum Machine Learning (QML), a cutting-edge approach combining quantum computing and AI. He explained how QML leverages quantum properties like superposition and entanglement to process complex datasets more efficiently. Dr. Majumdar illustrated its potential in genomics, drug discovery, and personalized medicine, while acknowledging the challenges of high computational costs and limited quantum infrastructure in India. He predicted that QML’s widespread adoption is 3-5 years away, with research advancing rapidly.

Dr. Arti Pawaria

Dr. Pawaria brought insights into AI’s impact on pediatric and transplantation care. She shared how AI is being used in donor-recipient matching, optimizing surgical planning, and post-operative monitoring for pediatric liver transplants. AI also plays a critical role in managing rare and complex pediatric conditions, where conventional data is often inadequate. She emphasized the need for ethical safeguards to ensure responsible use of AI, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.

AI’s Expanding Role in Healthcare

The panel collectively highlighted AI’s ability to revolutionize healthcare by improving diagnostic precision, enhancing patient care, and enabling predictive analytics. Examples included:

• AI-assisted radiology for early detection of cancers and other diseases.
• Predictive models to monitor chronic conditions, such as kidney and liver diseases.
• Personalized medicine solutions for pediatric care and complex surgeries.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

The panelists acknowledged that while AI and QML hold immense promise, they also bring challenges:

• Data Privacy: Safeguarding patient information is crucial as AI systems process sensitive data.
• Cost of Technology: High implementation costs limit accessibility, particularly in developing countries.
• Regulatory Frameworks: Evolving legal and ethical standards are necessary to govern the use of these emerging technologies.

The panel stressed the importance of creating robust frameworks to ensure that AI and QML are used responsibly and equitably.

The Future of AI and QML in Healthcare

The session concluded with a forward-looking vision of AI and QML as tools that augment human expertise rather than replace it. Collaboration between healthcare professionals, technologists, and policymakers will be essential to unlocking the full potential of these technologies.

InnoHEALTH 2024 reaffirmed its role as a platform for innovation and collaboration, showcasing how advanced technologies can lead to more efficient, equitable, and innovative healthcare systems.

https://youtu.be/vkvKC4WiZAE

Composed by:

InnoHEALTH Magazine Digital Team

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1. Technical Institutes are primarily teaching institutes. IIIT Delhi, however, seems greatly focused on research. Could you share with us how the research in the Institute is organized?

Today, the focus of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) is shifting from being purely teaching institutes to more research-oriented, and also setting up a healthy ecosystem for innovation leading to entrepreneurship.  IIIT-D recognizes the importance of this triple helix of education-research-entrepreneurship.  At IIIT-D, all faculty members are strongly encouraged to carry out cutting-edge research and publish their work at top venues.  The Institute runs a strong yet flexible Ph.D. program where interested students can join the program around the year.  Many UG students also are initiated into research through projects, and several UG students publish at top conferences.  Exemplary research is recognized through research excellence awards.  The research contributions of all faculty members are externally reviewed by domain experts yearly as a part of their annual appraisals, and constructive feedback is provided to the faculty members.   External research funding is an important instrument for the sustainability of the research ecosystem, and sponsored projects are essential for strengthening a curiosity-driven and applications-inspired research culture in higher education institutes.  The Innovation, Research and Development (IRD) division, headed by a Dean, is responsible for strengthening the research ecosystem at the Institute.  It organizes internal grant-writing workshops regularly.  The Institute has recently started its internal ‘grand challenges program’ where it funds 1-2 key moonshot ideas.  There is also a strong penchant for international collaborative research at IIIT-D.  Faculty members frequently consult for industry, and there is an enabling mechanism for that at the Institute.  IIIT-Delhi organizes an annual outreach event called Research, Innovation, and Incubation Showcase (RIISE).  In April 2022, the RIISE event had eight key themes – Artificial Intelligence, Core Research, Cyber-Physical Systems, Design, Healthcare, Lab to Market/ Start-ups, Sustainability, and Technology as a Public Good.

2. In your vision, how can India be leading in new technological advances, especially for ground breaking R&D to happen at institutes like IIIT Delhi? What can we do to move forward?

Technological advances have to come at two levels.  First, there are a large number of practical problems and on-the-ground challenges which need technological intervention, often involving deep-tech.  The second set of problems pertains to groundbreaking technological advancements that can ‘move the needle’.  Research-led institutes have a significant role to play in both dimensions.  The research institutes should be fertile ground for industry, government, and academic collaboration.  HEIs must create an ecosystem that enables applied research, often with industry partnerships.  Internal grand challenges programs should be implemented because they can act as catalysts.  Research questions should be taken up where both the risks and rewards are high, and the likely impact on society is most promising.  Provisions should also be made to recognize and reward ‘grand-failures .’  For this, close interaction with the industry is a must.  There has to be an inbuilt mechanism for seamlessly identifying deep-tech research that can be ‘translated’ to impactful products.  Finally, it should be reiterated that science should ask consequential questions, and technology matters only if it can improve human lives.

IIIT-Delhi is deeply committed to carrying out meaningful and impactful research with the dual purpose of pushing the knowledge boundaries and achieving the national goal of technological self-reliance.   IIIT-D has nine research Centers (including the Center for AI, Design and New Media, Healthcare, Sustainable Mobility, Quantum Technologies, etc.) which are all interdisciplinary, and where a lot of industry-focused translational research is carried out.  The faculty members at the Institute are engaged in solving some pressing societal problems and developing scalable solutions.  These span the entire gamut, including the integrated federated healthcare platform, the contactless ticketing project for the NCR, improving maternal healthcare for ASHA workers, an autonomous mobile robot for Delhi roads, low-cost healthcare devices, etc.  Some futuristic ideas being explored include Brain-Computer Interface to augment attention, AI to uncover carcinogenic human metabolites, CCTV-based Crime Retrieval and Multi-modal Surveillance, Computational gastronomy, etc.  The Institute is also actively contributing to the Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation (DRIIV) program supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, for solving emerging challenges in the national capital region.

3. Health Sector Professionals in India lack awareness of emerging technologies. How do you think IIIT can contribute to capacity building?

There is a definite need to increase technological awareness among Health Sector Professionals.  IIIT-D has a strong commitment to upskilling and reskilling, and has been in sync with the needs of the industry in terms of capacity building.  The Center of Excellence in Healthcare at IIIT-D is already making scientific advances in data-driven public health through research, education, and engagement with industry and policy.  The Center is also planning to design training programs for health sector professionals.  

Additionally, medical robots and autonomous machines in the medical field are transforming how surgeries are performed and freeing up quality time for doctors to engage with patients.  The technology innovation hubs (TiH) of IIIT-D and IITD have together set up India’s first Medical Cobotics Center at IIIT-D.  In the near future, this Center will be a technology-enabled medical simulation/ training facility for young resident doctors, besides acting as a validation center for the research outcomes in healthcare robotics and digital health.  The Centre would facilitate training healthcare professionals, paramedical staff, technicians, engineers, and researchers.

4. The Health sector comprises sensitive data. Especially in India, we are planning for digital health to go mainstream. What are your suggestions for safeguarding the future of the Indian health sector against cyber threats?

To make the Indian health sector robust against cyber threats, one would need a multi-pronged approach:

There is an immediate need to set up national standards to protect sensitive patient health information, and to prevent it from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge.  The current legal framework in India offers limited data protection under the Information Technology Act, 2000.  The standardization activity will lead to better data collection (also crucial from the application of AI), more secure data storage, and responsible data sharing.

We expect healthcare data to become increasingly interoperable; therefore, adequate measures must be put in place for data security.  Sharing healthcare data also means sharing the risks inherent in protecting that data.  All critical databases should be continuously backed up, and proactive steps should be taken to reduce the attack surface.  The weakest link in the chain is often the person operating the system.  Therefore, regular cyber-hygiene training should be mandatory in organizations dealing with health-related data, and all ‘large’ medical establishments should have a Chief Cyber Security Officer (CSSO).

The quest for ‘data security’ is a journey with no finish line.  Hence, adequate resources need to be continuously allocated for research to build future frameworks for better protection of sensitive healthcare information.  Many of these research activities can be carried out in academic institutions (like IIIT-D) in partnership with hospitals.  During such research and developmental activities, testing is often done using real-life data.  During the development and testing phase, all sensitive data should be anonymized before use. 

The use of AI-based Healthcare chatbots and conversational AI-powered tools is expected to grow exponentially.  The benefits range from providing timely access to pertinent, precise, and accurate healthcare information to keeping track of follow-ups, cancellations, and patient satisfaction.  However, while designing these chatbots, one has to be careful about issues related to explicit consent-to-use healthcare data, safety and transparency, data privacy, and, most importantly, algorithmic fairness and biases.  Healthcare is a lot about trust in the system, and the failure of trust and accountability has to be prudently guarded for AI-enabled healthcare systems.

Finally, we should always be aware of what technology ‘can do’ and ‘cannot do’ in healthcare.

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