IIT-Delhi, AIIMS to Develop AI-based Healthcare Solutions

This marks the first time the two premier institutions will collaborate to develop AI-based solutions targeting key healthcare issues.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is set to collaborate with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-based healthcare solutions as part of its newly established Artificial Intelligence-Centre for Excellence (AI-COE).

This initiative, announced by the Union Education Ministry, aims to create deployable AI technologies and platforms for early detection of diseases such as cancer, as well as to improve diagnostics for vector-borne diseases.

The Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced the establishment of three AI-COEs, each focused on specific sectors: healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities.

These centers will be led by IIT-Delhi in partnership with AIIMS Delhi, IIT-Ropar, and IIT-Kanpur, respectively.

While IIT-Delhi and AIIMS have a history of working together on various medical technologies, this marks the first time the two premier institutions will collaborate to develop AI-based solutions targeting key healthcare issues outlined in the National Health Programmes.

Over the next month, IIT-Delhi and AIIMS Delhi will decide on the physical location of the AI-COE for healthcare.

The center will receive funding of INR 330 Cr from the Ministry of Education (MoE), according to Prof. Chetan Arora, chief project manager of the AI-COE at IIT-Delhi.

He stated that this funding will eventually support the development of a self-sustaining revenue model for the center, enabling long-term operations.

The project is designed with a four-year timeline, during which the two institutes will work together to create AI models and platforms.

These innovations will be deployed in clinics and hospitals across India, aiming to significantly improve diagnostics and treatment in various healthcare areas.

AI Solutions for Early Detection

Prof Arora, a faculty member of IIT Delhi’s Computer Science and Engineering Department and jointly associated with the School of AI, emphasized the center’s focus on creating AI algorithms that will aid in the early detection and management of diseases.

The AI-COE will particularly focus on cancer detection, chronic disease management, and infectious diseases.

"We aim to develop AI platforms that can screen for multiple diseases during routine medical check-ups. For instance, when a patient undergoes an ultrasound for abdominal pain, the AI model could also detect early signs of other conditions, such as cancer, allowing for timely intervention and treatment," said Prof Arora.

This approach aims to integrate AI into regular diagnostic processes, enhancing the ability of clinicians to catch diseases early and efficiently manage them.

AI to Address Multiple Health Parameters

The center’s AI platform will be designed to screen for various diseases, including different types of cancer, vector-borne illnesses, and maternal and child health parameters.

The goal is to aid healthcare providers in identifying potential health issues early on, reducing the burden on doctors while improving their diagnostic accuracy.

Prof Arora explained that the platform would help doctors upscale their services and improve their skills, thus delivering more effective healthcare solutions.

The affordability of these services is also a major focus, as many advanced screenings are currently expensive in India. By creating a single AI platform capable of screening for multiple conditions, the AI-COE aims to make these screenings more accessible to the general public.

IIT-Delhi has already been conducting research in AI-based medical technologies for several years.

In collaboration with AIIMS Delhi and other institutions such as PGIMER Chandigarh, the team has worked on early detection of diseases such as breast cancer and gallbladder cancer, leveraging data collected from hospitals.

The AI-COE will now build upon this existing research, expanding its focus to include a wider range of diseases and diagnostic tools.

The IIT-Delhi and AIIMS Delhi team will work as part of a larger consortium that includes other academic and medical institutions such as IIT-Ropar, IIT-Mandi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and Cachar Cancer Hospital in Assam.

In addition to these institutions, the project will also involve industry partners, further strengthening the collaboration between academia, healthcare, and the private sector.

Prof. Parag Singla, Head of the School of AI at IIT-Delhi, stated that proposals will also be invited from other academic and medical institutions, as well as industry partners, for additional research within the AI-COE’s scope.

This inclusive approach is designed to bring in diverse expertise and accelerate the development of cutting-edge AI solutions.

The Central Project Monitoring Unit, appointed by the Ministry of Education, will oversee the work of the AI-COEs across all three focus areas—healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities.

The unit will evaluate progress every three to six months over the next four years, ensuring that the goals of the project are being met in a timely manner.

‘Make AI in India & Make AI Work for India’

The AI-COE initiative aligns with the Indian government’s broader vision to ‘Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India.’

Announced during the 2023-24 budget, the establishment of these centers underscores the government’s commitment to advancing AI technology in sectors crucial to the nation’s development.

With a total financial outlay of INR 990 Cr over the period of 2023-2028, these AI-COEs are expected to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and improving the quality of life for millions of Indians.

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