Pune: In a focused gathering at Pune’s Venture Center, the ‘AI in Healthcare’ Workshop brought together top industry experts, healthcare innovators, and investors to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can redefine healthcare.
Supported by BFI-BIOME, the workshop delved into AI’s transformative applications in drug discovery, diagnostics, patient care, and public health. It provided practical insights and networking opportunities for startups and innovators pursuing AI-driven healthcare advancements.
The workshop opened with an insightful keynote by Dr. Anand Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of Persistent Systems, who highlighted AI’s potential $208 billion impact in healthcare by 2030.
"This is a remarkable and transformative opportunity," Dr. Deshpande noted, setting an optimistic tone for the event. He emphasized the critical need for AI-led solutions in shifting healthcare from reactive treatments to preventative approaches, underscoring investment in AI infrastructure, advanced hardware, and talent development as key factors in fully harnessing AI’s potential.
Panel Discussion: Opportunities and Challenges of AI in Healthcare
In a subsequent panel discussion, experts examined AI’s growing influence in healthcare innovation, including its role in drug discovery, clinical trial optimization, and the enhancement of patient and provider experiences.
Panelists underscored the importance of seamlessly integrating AI into healthcare workflows for maximum impact, while highlighting advances in diagnostics and imaging accuracy.
The conversation also addressed ethical concerns and the regulatory frameworks essential to balancing technological progress with patient privacy and equitable access. Panelists included prominent experts like Santosh Dixit, Nandini Sahasrabuddhe, Gaurav Tripathi, Ashutosh Pathak, Pankaj Doshi, and Kedar Medhi.
Startup Mixer Showcases Cutting-Edge AI Solutions
A key highlight of the workshop was the Startup Mixer, where ten early-stage startups presented lightning pitches on AI applications in healthcare, showcasing solutions from public health to diagnostics and traditional medicine.
Startups CareNx and Adiuvo Diagnostics were recognized for their outstanding contributions, with Indus Biotech sponsoring the awards.
Investors Discuss Strategic Investment in AI-Driven Healthcare Startups
In a final session, investors shared insights into evaluating and supporting AI-driven healthcare startups. Investors emphasized a balanced approach, recognizing the need for AI solutions that address real-world problems effectively.
Discussion points included data sustainability, the development of comprehensive evaluation frameworks for AI companies, and regulatory clarity as a pathway to larger AI-focused investments in healthcare. The panel featured insights from industry investors like Maneesh Bhandari, Madhukar Bhatia, Kiran Deshpande, Sanjay Kanvinde, Tanvi Ghate, and Amey Mashelkar.
“This forum has highlighted the potential of AI to reshape healthcare, and we’re delighted to facilitate such a platform for knowledge-sharing and innovation,” remarked Dr. Premnath, Director of Venture Center. “Our thanks go to all participants for joining us in exploring AI’s transformative impact in healthcare.”
