Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, has taken a groundbreaking step by establishing India’s first dedicated Department of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in the fusion of cutting-edge tech and medicine.
What the New Department Means
- India’s First-of-Its-Kind
KMC’s AI in Healthcare Department is the first medical college-based unit in the country solely focused on integrating AI into healthcare. - Interdisciplinary Powerhouse
Led by Dr. Rachana and Dr. Preethi Shetty, the department brings together experts from medicine, engineering, data science, public health, and more to collaborate on AI applications in clinical and educational settings. - Inauguration Highlights
The launch, held at the Dr. TMA Pai Auditorium, was officiated by Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE. He declared the move a “statement of commitment” to leading the healthcare revolution. - Vision for Responsible AI Adoption
Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences, emphasized a “360-degree implementation” of AI across healthcare—from diagnostics and treatment to reshaping medical education. He reinforced the importance of human oversight and ethical deployment. - Academic Innovation
KMC plans to offer MSc and Integrated MSc–PhD programs in AI, aiming to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. The vision includes translating AI research into tools for predictive analytics, medical imaging, personalized medicine, and decision support systems—shaping future leaders in healthcare-AI. - Built for Impact
The department is structured to foster collaboration across disciplines, ensure broad AI literacy among students, and drive innovations that improve diagnostics, treatment, education, and public health.
