AI can’t replace doctor’s presence at patient’s bedside: Vice President

New Delhi, May 12: Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan Tuesday addressed the 51st Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Highlighting the contribution of AIIMS in healthcare delivery, the Vice President noted that the institute has emerged as the nation’s primary engine of medical innovation and healthcare excellence, setting the highest standards of patient care and modern medicine while continuing to remain remarkably affordable for the common people. He observed that from pandemic resilience to rural healthcare outreach, the “AIIMS brand” has become synonymous with trust and integrity across India and the South-East Asian region.
The Vice President appreciated Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President of AIIMS, Jagat Prakash Nadda, along with the Director and faculty members of AIIMS for efficiently managing the massive scale of patients without compromising academic standards. He said AIIMS has, for decades, cultivated scholars who combine medical excellence with ethics and empathy, with its alumni occupying leading positions in reputed institutions across the world.
Referring to AIIMS’ achievement of conducting a remote robotic ultrasound in Antarctica earlier this year, the Vice President remarked that the feat demonstrated that geography is no longer a barrier to Indian clinical excellence. He also highlighted the institute’s expanding international collaborations, including the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health.
The Vice President stated that AIIMS is now establishing global benchmarks in healthcare and medical education. Referring to the QS World Rankings, he noted that AIIMS has climbed 40 places in just two years to reach 105th globally. He expressed confidence that the institute would soon enter the top 100 and one day emerge as the world’s number one institution. He further noted that AIIMS has retained the top position in the NIRF medical category consecutively from 2018 to 2025.
Commending the faculty and researchers of the institute, the Vice President said that the excellence of AIIMS is reflected in the numerous Padma Awards conferred upon its faculty members over the years. He informed that the distinguished list includes 2 Padma Vibhushan, 15 Padma Bhushan, and 51 Padma Shri awardees, while 57 faculty members feature among Stanford University’s top 2% scientists globally.
Highlighting the expansion of AIIMS institutions across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Vice President said that this expansion has significantly strengthened healthcare delivery in underserved regions. He also appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Health towards establishing more medical and nursing colleges across the country to improve access to medical education.
Addressing the graduating students, the Vice President said that they are entering the profession at a defining moment for Indian healthcare, when the vision of “One Nation, One Health” is shaping a more integrated, equitable, and future-ready healthcare system. He urged the young doctors, scientists, and healthcare professionals to advance compassion, innovation, and public trust in healthcare.
The Vice President observed that while AI-driven technologies are transforming medicine and several other sectors, no artificial intelligence can replace the moral weight of a doctor’s presence at a patient’s bedside. He urged the graduates to always uphold empathy, integrity, and humanity in their profession.
Congratulating the graduating students, the Vice President said that the white coat they wear carries expectations far beyond personal success. He urged them to serve society with humility, excellence, and empathy, and to ensure that their work reflects both professional skill and commitment to the larger good.
Among those present on the occasion were Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President, AIIMS New Delhi, Jagat Prakash Nadda; Director, AIIMS New Delhi, Prof. Nikhil Tandon; Dean of the Institute, Prof. Radhika Tandon; Registrar of the Institute, Prof. Girija Prasad Rath; faculty members, healthcare professionals, students, and distinguished guests.