Experts Emphasize Role of AI in Healthcare While Upholding Doctor's Authority

Chennai, India Aug 30, 2026 ALN: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of healthcare and is here to stay, but the skills, judgement and critical thinking of medical practitioners will remain central to patient care, experts said at a webinar on "The Future Doctor: Balancing Clinical Experience with Technology" organised by SRM Institute of Science and Technology, in association with The Hindu.

The panellists comprised R. Jayanthi, Dean, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre; Vivek N, Dean (Dental), SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital; Ritubhan Gautam, Head – Global Health, Deep Tek.ai; and K. Ganapathy, Honorary Distinguished Professor, IIM Jammu, Distinguished Professor, Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, and Emeritus Professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Jayanthi said AI has become an important part of healthcare and medical education, and doctors and institutions must adapt to the AI era. She stressed the need for medical students to develop AI literacy and a strong “verification reflex”, ensuring that AI-generated information is checked against trusted sources and does not undermine clinical reasoning and critical thinking. This is particularly crucial as the integration of AI into medical education curriculums is still in its infancy, and there is a pressing need for educational institutions to equip future healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to navigate this evolving landscape.

AI Comes with Responsibilities

AI should support clinical decisions, but doctors should never outsource their responsibility to the technology, said Dr. Ganapathy. He underlined the importance of strengthening judgement, empathy and accountability, and of asking the right clinical questions while assessing how reliable an AI prediction is for a particular patient and setting. This highlights a critical tension in the healthcare sector: while AI can enhance decision-making, it is essential that human oversight remains a fundamental component of patient care.

In dentistry, Dr. Vivek pointed to the growing role of AI in automating several aspects of diagnosis and treatment. For instance, AI algorithms can analyze dental images with high accuracy, assisting in the early detection of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. At the same time, he said, the technology remains a decision-support tool and cannot replace the dentist, who must continue to make the final clinical decision. This distinction is vital, as it underscores the complementary nature of AI in healthcare rather than its role as a substitute for human expertise.

From a public health perspective, AI can act as a force multiplier in areas where specialist clinicians are scarce, said Mr. Gautam. He noted that AI can facilitate remote consultations and telemedicine, thereby increasing access to healthcare services for individuals in rural and underserved areas. By utilizing AI-driven tools for screening and diagnosis, healthcare providers can prioritize patients requiring urgent attention, ultimately improving patient outcomes. However, accuracy, bias, and clinical oversight remain important considerations. The potential for AI to perpetuate existing biases in healthcare data must be addressed, as these biases can lead to disparities in treatment and outcomes among different demographic groups.

The discussion highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the development and deployment of AI technologies in healthcare. Experts from various fields, including data science, medicine, ethics, and public health, must work together to ensure that AI applications are not only effective but also ethical and equitable. This collaborative approach can help to mitigate risks associated with AI, such as data privacy concerns and the potential for algorithmic bias.

Moreover, the implications of AI in healthcare extend beyond clinical settings. For instance, AI can assist in healthcare administration by optimizing scheduling, managing patient flow, and even predicting patient needs based on historical data. This can lead to more efficient healthcare systems, ultimately benefiting both providers and patients.

As AI continues to evolve, ongoing education and training for healthcare professionals will be crucial. Medical institutions must prioritize the integration of AI literacy into their curricula, ensuring that future doctors are not only familiar with AI technologies but also equipped to critically assess their applications in clinical practice. This will empower healthcare professionals to leverage AI as a tool that enhances their capabilities rather than diminishes their role.

The session was moderated by Geetha Srimathi, senior reporter, The Hindu. The webinar can be viewed online, allowing a broader audience to engage with the critical discussions surrounding the integration of AI in healthcare. As the dialogue around AI's role in medicine continues, it is essential for all stakeholders to remain vigilant about maintaining the balance between technological advancement and the irreplaceable human touch in patient care.