Manipal, 29th August 2025: Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), has taken a pioneering leap in medical education with the launch of the Department of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. This initiative, the first of its kind in a medical college in India, marks a historic moment in integrating technology and medicine.

The launch ceremony, held at the Dr. TMA Pai Auditorium, KMC Manipal, was attended by senior dignitaries from MAHE, including Heads of Institutions, faculty and students, signalling a campus-wide commitment to this transformative vision.

The department was officially inaugurated by Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, emphasised collective effort and collaboration across disciplines to position MAHE as a pioneer in AI implementation in healthcare. Underscoring the importance of this strategic initiative, he said, “The future of healthcare is inextricably linked with technology.  This department is not just a new academic unit; it is a statement of our commitment to leading the healthcare revolution.  It will require a collective, interdisciplinary effort to position MAHE as the nation’s pioneer in translating AI research into real-world clinical practice.”

Presiding over the event, Dr. Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, outlined an ambitious roadmap for the department.  “We envision a 360-degree implementation of AI across the healthcare spectrum.  This goes beyond diagnostics and treatment to fundamentally reshape medical education itself, fostering AI literacy in all our student community,” Dr. Rao stated.   He emphasised the critical need for responsible innovation, noting “the importance of recognising the limitations of AI and ensuring that its application remains under appropriate human oversight.”

•  Presenting the vision for the new department, Dr. Anil K. Bhat, Dean, KMC Manipal and Senior Advisor for the Department, outlined its mission and objectives. The Department of AI in Healthcare will: Advance research, education, and clinical applications by building interdisciplinary expertise by uniting medicine, engineering, and data science.
• translate AI research into real-world solutions for diagnosis, treatment, education, and public health
• train the next generation of healthcare-AI leaders in predictive analytics, medical imaging, personalised medicine, and decision support systems.
• This strategic initiative by KMC, Manipal, is poised to redefine the landscape of Indian medicine, creating a new benchmark for medical education and preparing healthcare professionals to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Dr. Bhat also announced the department's ambitious academic and collaborative plans: "We aim to introduce MSc and Integrated MSc–PhD programs in AI, alongside courses to upskill our faculty and students. We will actively foster collaborative research and innovation projects with external partners and industry. Our ultimate focus will be on initiatives with direct societal impact, driving meaningful patient care and medical education reforms."

This strategic initiative by KMC, Manipal, is poised to redefine the landscape of Indian medicine, creating a new benchmark for medical education and preparing healthcare professionals to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

The department will be led by coordinators Dr Rachana and Dr Preethi Shetty and faculty from various departments of KMC, Manipal, along with faculty members from Manipal Institute of Technology, Information & Data Sciences, Public Health, and mentorship from KMC and MAHE leadership.