The Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems (KCIS) at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) marked a momentous occasion by celebrating the 101st birth anniversary of Sri F.C. Kohli, the father of Indian IT and founder of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The event, known as Kohli Day, also hosted the fifth edition of the esteemed FC Kohli Talks, bringing together thought leaders, technologists, and researchers to commemorate Kohli's contributions to the technology industry.
Kohli Day Lecture: AI & Healthcare – A Doctor’s Perspective
A highlight of the celebration was the annual Kohli Day Lecture, delivered by Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals. Renowned for his pioneering work in the medical field, Dr. Reddy holds the rare distinction of being the first Indian doctor to receive all three Padma Awards—Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. His lecture, titled “AI & Healthcare - Opportunities and Challenges - Why Doctors Don’t Like Artificial Intelligence (AI)”, offered a compelling narrative on the evolving relationship between AI and the medical profession.
Dr. Reddy began his address with a candid admission: like many doctors, he was initially skeptical about AI’s role in medicine, doubting its effectiveness within his professional tenure. However, his perspective shifted as he witnessed firsthand AI’s transformative impact on patient care, diagnosis, and medical procedures. His remarks resonated with an audience of over 250 doctors, engineers, technologists, students, and faculty at IIIT Hyderabad.
The Role of AI in Modern Medicine
Dr. Reddy elaborated on AI’s growing significance in healthcare, particularly in areas such as pre-and post-surgical procedures, patient monitoring, and personalized medicine. He emphasized that AI not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also minimizes human error, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Among the groundbreaking applications discussed was AI’s ability to enhance polyp detection in colonoscopy, outperforming the human eye in early detection and intervention. He also highlighted AI’s pivotal role in microbiome research, explaining how AI facilitates the study of thousands of bacteria within the human body—comprising 30 trillion human cells, 39 trillion microbial cells, 20,000 human genes, and 20 million microbial genes.
AIG Hospitals, under Dr. Reddy’s leadership, performs over 2,000 surgeries per month. He underscored how AI-driven predictive analytics help mitigate medical emergencies, potentially saving three lives daily by preventing "Code Blue" situations—critical medical emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
AI Innovations in Healthcare Infrastructure
Dr. Reddy shared insights into AI-powered hospital beds, which use advanced sensors and algorithms to monitor patient activity and health conditions in real-time. Additionally, he introduced the concept of smart toilets capable of analyzing stool samples for early disease detection. AI’s role in predictive medicine, drug discovery, and medical research continues to expand, offering unprecedented opportunities for advancement.
However, Dr. Reddy addressed the elephant in the room: will AI replace doctors? He reassured the audience that AI will not replace medical professionals but emphasized the necessity for doctors to embrace AI. “An AI-savvy doctor can replace a doctor who doesn’t use AI,” he stated, reinforcing the idea that technology should be viewed as a tool rather than a threat.
Challenges & the Future of AI in Healthcare
While AI presents immense benefits, Dr. Reddy acknowledged significant challenges, including data security and ethical concerns. He warned of increasing incidents of medical data theft and the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures. Regulation remains a pressing issue, as governments struggle to develop frameworks for AI governance in healthcare.
Inauguration of the Centre for Digital Technologies in Healthcare (CDiTH)
A major milestone of the event was the inauguration of the Centre for Digital Technologies in Healthcare (CDiTH). Dr. Reddy, alongside esteemed dignitaries including Mr. Srini Raju, Mr. BVR Mohan Reddy, and former NASSCOM President Mr. R Chandrashekhar, unveiled the plaque for the new center.
Prof. P.J. Narayanan, Director of IIIT Hyderabad, provided insights into CDiTH’s mission, describing it as a translational lab designed to bridge academic research with clinical practice. With AIG Hospitals as a principal partner, the center aims to leverage digital innovations to enhance healthcare delivery in India and beyond.
Prof. Bari Raju and Raja Poladi of IIIT Hyderabad further elaborated on CDiTH’s execution strategy, underscoring its commitment to real-world impact.
The Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems (KCIS): Pioneering AI Research
KCIS, named in honor of Sri F.C. Kohli, serves as a hub for AI research at IIIT Hyderabad. With 50 faculty members and over 500 researchers, it stands as one of India’s largest AI research groups, covering domains such as language technologies, computer vision, robotics, cognitive sciences, and advanced machine learning. These applications extend across multiple sectors, including healthcare and mobility.
Kohli Day, observed annually on March 19th, serves as a tribute to the visionary leader whose contributions laid the foundation for India’s IT revolution. Through initiatives like FC Kohli Talks and the expansion of AI research at IIIT Hyderabad, his legacy continues to inspire the next generation of innovators.
Conclusion
The 101st birth anniversary of F.C. Kohli was not just a commemoration but a testament to his enduring influence on technology and innovation. As AI continues to redefine industries, the intersection of technology and healthcare holds vast potential. The insights shared at Kohli Day reaffirm the need for collaborative efforts between technologists and medical professionals to shape a future where AI enhances human expertise rather than replaces it.
With continued advancements and ethical considerations, AI in healthcare is poised to revolutionize patient care, making medical interventions more precise, efficient, and accessible. The journey of AI and medicine has just begun, and as Kohli’s legacy reminds us, the possibilities are limitless.
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