India Leads Responsible AI in Health Innovation
New Delhi: India has solidified its position as a global leader in responsible artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare by joining the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN), a platform dedicated to ensuring safe and effective use of AI in health sectors. The announcement, made by HealthAI – The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health, marks a significant step in fostering international collaboration for fair, secure, and efficient AI-driven healthcare solutions. The agreement was formalised on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi, with participation from Dr. Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General, and Dr. Mona Duggal, Director of the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute for Research in Digital Health and Data Science (ICMR-NIRDHDS), Smt. Kavita Bhatia, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IndiaAI, and Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HealthAI.
The HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN) brings together health regulators from countries including the United Kingdom and Singapore to share safety protocols, monitor AI performance in clinical settings, and develop joint standards for responsible AI innovation. India’s participation, facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through its IndiaAI initiative and ICMR-NIRDHDS, aligns with the nation’s strategy to leverage AI for public services, startup support, and job creation while ensuring safety and equity. This collaboration enables India to contribute its vast healthcare expertise to global AI governance, enhancing the integration of AI tools across its diverse healthcare landscape.
Smt. Kavita Bhatia, COO of IndiaAI, emphasised, “India’s national strategy for AI is designed to position the country as a global AI workforce while leveraging AI for public services, value creation, startup support, and job creation. Our collaboration with HealthAI directly supports this vision by advancing responsible AI in health, helping us build AI that is safe, effective, and widely adopted across the health ecosystem.” Dr. Mona Duggal, Director of ICMR-NIRDHDS, added, “Through this collaboration with HealthAI, we are fostering cross-disciplinary engagement and strengthening data-driven practice. Together, we aim to enhance the safety, effectiveness, and accessibility of AI in health.”
Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, CEO of HealthAI, expressed enthusiasm for India’s inclusion, stating, “The country’s vast healthcare experience and commitment to digital innovation will provide valuable insights as we work together to create global networks that aim to ensure AI-driven benefits reach patients safely and effectively.” India joins as one of ten ‘Pioneer Countries’ shaping the GRN, which offers technical support, stakeholder engagements, and access to a global directory of registered AI health tools to promote transparency and collaboration.
The partnership addresses the growing use of AI in healthcare delivery, where responsible AI is critical for improving service efficiency and expanding equitable access to quality care. India’s involvement strengthens its regulatory frameworks, balancing innovation with data privacy and patient safety. HealthAI plans further initiatives, including knowledge exchanges to refine regulatory approaches, building a trusted framework for AI across Asia and beyond.
About Key Stakeholders
- HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN): An international platform uniting health regulators to enhance oversight of AI in healthcare, focusing on trust, safety, and innovation through shared learning and early risk warnings.
- Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute for Research in Digital Health and Data Science (ICMR-NIRDHDS): A key institute under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), advancing digital health research and data science to bolster India’s healthcare infrastructure.
- IndiaAI: A Government of India initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) via the Digital India Corporation, aimed at building a comprehensive AI ecosystem to position India as a global leader in AI innovation.
India’s entry into the GRN underscores its commitment to ethical AI deployment, enhancing healthcare delivery while contributing to global standards for responsible innovation.
– global bihari bureau
