India and France have taken a landmark step in healthcare innovation with the launch of the Indo-French Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Health (IF-CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. The centre is aimed at using artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex healthcare challenges, including brain health, clinical innovation, and training the next generation of AI-driven healthcare professionals.
The inauguration was attended by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and President of France Emmanuel Macron, marking a historic collaboration between the two nations to advance AI in healthcare.
The IF-CAIH seeks to promote AI-driven research, medical education, and clinical solutions for some of the most pressing health problems. It represents a shared vision to build local AI expertise and trusted systems, rather than relying on technologies developed elsewhere.
“India and France are committed to developing the computing capacity and talent necessary to build our own trusted AI systems,” said President Macron.
He added, “Artificial Intelligence must serve humanity – with strong protections for children, transparency in algorithms to address bias, and a firm commitment to preserving linguistic and cultural diversity.”
The launch coincided with RUSH 2026 (Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau), a high-level academic and scientific forum at AIIMS Delhi, coordinated by the French Embassy. A key session, “Indo-French Forum: AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare,” brought together scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and academic leaders from both countries, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in healthcare.
The centre is being established under a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AIIMS Delhi, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with additional support from IIT Delhi and other leading French institutions, said a senior official from the Union Health Ministry.
IF-CAIH will promote interdisciplinary research in AI, brain health, and global healthcare systems, aiming to strengthen evidence-based policy, improve clinical outcomes, and foster knowledge sharing.
This collaboration builds on ongoing India-France partnerships in Digital Health, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), human resources for health, and responsible data use. It also includes initiatives for cross-border mobility of students, researchers, and faculty, ensuring that young innovators gain global exposure and experience.
A highlight of RUSH 2026 was a youth-focused session, “RUSH – Conversation on Artificial Intelligence,” where President Macron spoke with Indian innovators Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri, moderated by French Ambassador for AI and Digital, Clara Chappaz. The discussion emphasized youth-led innovation and AI’s role in creating inclusive and sustainable healthcare solutions, said the official.
The IF-CAIH is more than a technological hub—it is a strategic investment in healthcare, research, and education. By combining India’s healthcare expertise with France’s scientific innovation, the centre aims to accelerate discovery, improve diagnostics, optimise treatment strategies, and train AI-capable health professionals.
This Indo-French initiative sets a benchmark for international partnerships in digital health, promoting research, innovation, and collaboration across the Indo-Pacific. With AI at its core, IF-CAIH aspires to improve brain health, patient care, and global healthcare solutions, demonstrating how innovation and cooperation can transform healthcare delivery, added the official.
