Telangana Doctors Lead AI Tools Built for India’s Hospitals in New ISB–AIG Partnership

Telangana Doctors Lead Development of Hospital-Ready AI Tools for India

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare often struggles in India because many tools fail to fit real clinical settings or gain doctors’ trust. A new collaboration between the Indian School of Business (ISB) and AIG Hospitals is changing this by putting doctors at the heart of AI development.

The programme unites 30 doctors and AI specialists to co-create solutions for pressing health issues in India. Early projects include AI models for the early detection of sepsis and fatty liver disease, along with a system to assist surgical decisions. These tools are built specifically for Indian patients, medical infrastructure, and workflows rather than adapting foreign models.

Focusing on Clinical Relevance and Usability

“Most AI models are developed separately from clinical practice,” said Prof. Sarang Deo, executive director of ISB’s Max Institute of Healthcare Management. “That’s why many tools don’t perform well in Indian hospitals. We’re reversing the process by letting clinicians identify problems and creating solutions they can use daily.”

Healthcare systems in India are often stretched thin, making timely diagnosis critical. For example, sepsis demands rapid detection and treatment to prevent fatalities. An AI tool that flags early warning signs from patient vitals or test results can save lives. Fatty liver disease, which often develops silently, can be caught early by analyzing routine bloodwork patterns.

Building Trust and Encouraging Adoption

Developing AI tools is only part of the challenge; doctors must also trust and adopt them. Prof. Deo explained, “Low AI adoption isn’t about resistance to technology. It’s because many tools don’t fit clinical workflows or ease doctors’ workloads. Patient safety concerns add another layer of caution.”

To tackle this, the programme emphasizes behavioral design, continuous user feedback, and strict clinical validation. The solutions are currently piloted at AIG Hospitals, with plans to expand to partner facilities. Early results indicate over 90% improvement in diagnostic clarity and enhanced collaboration between clinicians and engineers.

Cost-Effective and Accessible AI Solutions

At AIG, the fatty liver disease detection algorithm shows significant promise. “In rural areas, scans cost ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 per patient. Our AI model uses routine blood tests costing only ₹200-₹300,” said Dr. Rakesh Kalapala, senior consultant gastroenterologist and director of AIG’s AI and Innovation Centre. “This can save around ₹1.2 crore over time, improve access, speed diagnosis, and free up doctors’ time.”

The sepsis prediction tool is designed for smaller hospitals, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities with limited ICU beds. “This model helps identify patients who genuinely need intensive care early enough for intervention,” Dr. Kalapala added.

Practical Integration Is Key

Pilot testing at AIG has shown over 90% improvement in diagnostic clarity and communication between healthcare and data teams. However, both Prof. Deo and Dr. Kalapala stress that accuracy alone won’t drive adoption.

“Doctors will use AI not because it’s smart, but because it’s usable,” Prof. Deo said. “It needs to be fast, embedded in existing hospital systems, and simplify doctors’ work rather than complicate it.”

The team plans to extend these tools to more hospitals and increase training for clinicians, ensuring that AI becomes a practical part of healthcare delivery.

For healthcare professionals interested in AI tools that fit real clinical needs, exploring practical AI training can be valuable. Courses are available that focus on applying AI effectively in medical environments, such as those listed at Complete AI Training.