ET Now GBS 2026: AI can cut healthcare costs and bridge talent gap, say industry leaders

Leaders Spotlight AI's Role in Revolutionizing Healthcare

At the ET Now Global Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi, prominent industry figures gathered to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the healthcare landscape. The event, themed "Decade Disruption A Century of Change," brought together visionaries from business, government, and technology to explore transformative forces. A key session on meritocracy and India's global ambitions zeroed in on AI's promise in healthcare. Speakers emphasized that AI isn't just a tool but a game-changer capable of making medical services more accessible and efficient across the country. From urban hospitals to rural clinics, the technology is seen as a bridge to equality in care.

Rakesh Bharti Mittal, vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises, stressed the urgency of preparing India's youth for AI-driven jobs. He called for closer ties between industry and academia to equip the next generation with skills in this fast-evolving field. Mittal noted that new AI variants are emerging daily, demanding a curriculum overhaul. This preparation extends beyond jobs to tackling broader challenges like ethical AI use and its impact on critical thinking. His insights underscored India's demographic advantage, positioning the nation to lead in services and manufacturing with the right investments in research and development.

Cutting Costs and Empowering Doctors with AI Innovations

Shobana Kamineni, executive chairperson at Apollo Health Co and promoter director at Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, shared practical examples of AI in action. Her company is layering AI to train doctors from district-level colleges, enabling 80% of decision-making right at the frontline. This approach democratizes expertise, allowing less experienced physicians to perform complex procedures with robotic assistance. Kamineni highlighted how AI reads MRI scans and diagnostic tests, drastically reducing costs while maintaining high standards.

"It is a lot easier to scale up new technology now than before. A brilliant surgeon will always have good outcomes in an operating theatre while young doctors with a few days of experience can do equally good surgeries with robots. AI will exponentially bring down healthcare costs and create inclusivity," Kamineni said.

She also pointed to remote operations, where city-based specialists guide treatments in remote towns. This not only bridges the talent gap between premier institutes and local colleges but fosters inclusivity. Looking ahead, Kamineni sees India's young workforce filling global voids, especially as populations age in countries like China and Japan. AI tools amplify this demographic dividend, turning potential into productivity on an international scale. These advancements are already yielding results, with hospitals reporting faster diagnostics and lower expenses.

Peyton Howell, CEO of PAREXEL, echoed these sentiments during his summit address. He described AI as an opportunity for clinical trials and healthcare delivery, particularly in regulated environments like India's hub centers. Howell emphasized leveraging AI for planning, accuracy, and patient safety, ensuring it supports human efforts rather than replacing them. His optimism stems from real-world applications that enhance outcomes without compromising purpose or culture.

Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities Ahead

While the enthusiasm is palpable, leaders didn't shy away from hurdles. Mittal flagged short-term risks, including AI's potential effects on young minds' thinking abilities and the need for ethical frameworks. Union Minister Piyush Goyal offered reassurance, stating AI will transform work without displacing humans. He praised India's edge with millions of young graduates fueling innovation, bolstered by government initiatives like upcoming AI summits. These discussions at GBS 2026 painted a roadmap: robust governance, human-centric AI, and predictive policies to harness technology's power.

The summit also touched on AI's broader ripples into insurance, agriculture, and supply chains, where it boosts productivity from claims processing to crop predictions. Panels stressed complementing human judgment amid challenges like data scarcity. Day two featured ministers like Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jyotiraditya Scindia, linking digital infrastructure to economic ambitions, including trillion-dollar state goals. Overall, the event reinforced AI as a catalyst for India's global century, blending policy, innovation, and resilience.

In summary, ET Now GBS 2026 showcased AI's dual role in healthcare: slashing costs through smarter diagnostics and robotics, while bridging talent gaps via training and remote expertise. Leaders urged collaboration between industry, academia, and government to navigate ethics and disruptions, positioning India as a frontrunner in this tech-driven era.