India seeks leadership in AI and biotech innovation

India is being urged to transition from a global pharmaceutical manufacturer to a leader in research and artificial intelligence. At the IIMA Healthcare Summit 2026, Minister of State Anupriya Patel emphasized that the nation must move beyond being the ‘pharmacy of the world’ to become the ‘laboratory of the world’ by integrating AI into drug discovery, personalized treatment, and disease surveillance.

Patel noted that while AI should complement human clinical judgment, it must be implemented at a population scale through collaboration between government, academia, and industry. Existing Centres of Excellence for AI in healthcare have already been established at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and AIIMS Rishikesh.

Beyond healthcare, there is a strategic push for India to lead in the race toward Artificial Superintelligence. Proponents argue that India must own the platforms, models, and infrastructure to secure its position as a global technology leader. This involves treating AI as a strategic national capability rather than just a technology sector, leveraging the country's large pool of engineers and specialists to prepare for the shift toward Artificial General Intelligence.