The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi is set to enhance healthcare through artificial intelligence (AI) with the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence-Centre for Excellence (AI-COE). Announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on October 15, this initiative will focus on creating AI-based technology solutions, particularly in early cancer detection and the diagnosis of vector-borne diseases.
IIT-Delhi will collaborate with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi to develop deployable technologies and platforms for various medical applications. This marks the first formal collaboration between the two prestigious institutions to address health challenges identified in national health programs.
Funding and Goals
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has allocated ₹330 crore for the AI-COE, aiming to establish a self-sustaining revenue model. Prof. Chetan Arora, chief project manager at IIT-Delhi, stated that the center will focus on developing AI algorithms to tackle various healthcare issues, including chronic disease management and infectious diseases. The project plans to integrate AI screening into routine healthcare practices, facilitating early disease detection during standard ultrasound procedures.
Project Timeline and Scope
The initiative has a four-year timeline, during which teams from IIT-Delhi and AIIMS will develop a comprehensive platform capable of screening multiple diseases, including various cancers and vector-borne illnesses. The goal is to assist healthcare providers in improving patient outcomes while reducing their workload.
Collaborative Efforts
IIT-Delhi and AIIMS Delhi are collaborating with other institutions such as IIT-Ropar, IIT-Mandi, and PGIMER Chandigarh, along with various industry partners. This consortium aims to foster innovation in emergent research areas, with regular evaluations of progress every three to six months.
The AI-COE aligns with the Indian government’s vision of “Make AI in India and Make AI work for India,” contributing to a broader effort to integrate advanced technologies into the healthcare sector.
