Artificial Intelligence and Indian Healthcare: Historical Roots, Present Trends, and Future Prospects
Artificial Intelligence and Indian Healthcare: Historical Roots, Present Trends, and Future Prospects Introduction Healthcare in India has long been a dynamic blend of ancient wisdom, empirical observation, and technological innovation . From Ayurvedic treatises written thousands of years ago to the computational revolution of the 1960s , medicine has been shaped by humanity’s pursuit of systematic knowledge. In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) represents the latest stage of this evolution, promising to transform diagnostics, clinical decision-making, and healthcare delivery across India. While AI is often described as “new,” its intellectual lineage can be traced through both India’s classical medical heritage and the foundational work in computer science and AI during the mid-20th century . Ancient Indian physicians like Sushruta and Charaka emphasised systematic observation and documentation, while philosophical schools such as the Cārvāka championed empiricism over meta...