Latest news with #PriyankaShrivastava
Forbes
2 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
The Future Of Healthcare Is Collaborative—And AI Is The Catalyst
Collaboration and AI in Indian health care A quiet revolution is underway in the heart of a radiology lab at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, India. Artificial intelligence is scanning high-resolution images, flagging anomalies, reducing the time for diagnosis, and improving accuracy. But what makes this advancement so powerful isn't just the algorithm behind it. It's the collaboration between a hospital, a tech company, and a university that makes AI innovation sustainable, scalable, and relevant to India's complex healthcare landscape. Across India, a new model of digital health transformation is emerging, one where partnerships are as crucial as platforms. For a country grappling with massive disparities in healthcare access and delivery, this shift couldn't be more timely. These are the observations and conclusions from my peer, Dr. Priyanka Shrivastava, who is a Professor of Marketing & Analytics at Hult International Business School and an Executive Fellow at The Digital Economist. India's healthcare system faces deep challenges: a rapidly growing population, stark urban-rural divides, a chronic shortage of medical professionals, and overstretched public infrastructure. While the proliferation of health-tech startups has brought promise, much of the innovation remains confined to urban pockets or pilot projects. AI detects disease, streamlines diagnosis, and personalizes treatment. Tools like AI-powered nutrition coaches (HealthifyMe's Ria) and automated diagnostic assistants (such as those used by Aindra or Columbia Asia Hospital) are transforming the delivery of healthcare. Yet, these tools often encounter barriers due to a lack of interoperability, fragmented data systems, regulatory uncertainty, and resistance from overworked staff who fear that AI might be more of a disruption than an aid. Technology alone cannot fix healthcare. But technology plus collaboration just might. In a recent study, Dr. Shrivastava and her colleagues surveyed 300 healthcare professionals across 50 institutions and held in-depth interviews with doctors, technologists, and policymakers. The results were striking: institutions with strong cross-sector collaborations consistently showed higher and more sustained AI adoption. Three core insights emerged: Urban hospitals often have access to advanced technology and data, whereas rural clinics often lack even basic diagnostic capabilities. But when these entities partner via telemedicine links, shared platforms, or co-funding arrangements, AI can extend its reach. For example, Apollo's AI systems, when linked with satellite clinics, enable faster referrals and better triage in underserved regions. Resistance to AI isn't irrational—it often stems from a lack of understanding. The study found that joint workshops, where doctors and engineers co-learned and co-created, built buy-in from healthcare workers. When staff are trained with the tools and understand how they were developed, they are far more likely to embrace them. AI isn't plug-and-play. It requires regular updates, feedback loops, and cultural alignment. Institutions that formalized collaboration through MOUs, shared R&D labs, or co-published studies were more likely to sustain AI programs over the long term. Apollo's AI-driven radiology initiative in Chennai is a textbook example. Faced with long diagnosis times and overburdened radiologists, the hospital sought a solution. Instead of simply buying an off-the-shelf AI tool, Apollo co-developed one with a university, providing algorithm expertise, and a startup delivering the technical infrastructure. Doctors and developers worked side by side. The result? Diagnosis time dropped by 30%, and accuracy improved by 15%. Radiologists weren't replaced—they were enhanced, with AI acting as a second pair of eyes. Continuous training and feedback ensured the system evolved with practice. This wasn't a one-off deployment. It was an ecosystem. And that made all the difference. While Apollo represents a private success, the public sector isn't far behind. India's eSanjeevani platform, which added AI-supported teleconsultation features during the pandemic, saw a 40% increase in rural usage. This shows that with the right support and scale, AI can democratize access to care. The National Digital Health Mission is another promising initiative. If executed well—with strong data privacy frameworks and open APIs—it can offer a common layer for innovation. Startups can plug into public records; government hospitals can access AI-enabled diagnostics; researchers can draw insights from anonymized data. But for this to happen, policymakers must prioritize collaboration frameworks just as much as digital infrastructure. As India enters a defining decade for health innovation, here are four actionable takeaways from the research: Tax breaks, innovation grants, and pilot funding for joint ventures in AI health can catalyze adoption. Startups gain credibility and scale; public hospitals get access to frontier tech. Set up AI literacy programs for frontline health workers. Encourage interdisciplinary training so doctors, nurses, and tech teams speak a common language. A national framework on health data interoperability is overdue. Without this, AI solutions cannot scale beyond one institution. Build trust through consent-driven, encrypted data-sharing norms. Mandate impact audits for all health AI deployments—measuring not just tech efficiency, but patient outcomes, staff satisfaction, and system-level equity. The most inspiring part of this story? AI in Indian healthcare isn't being driven solely by top-down mandates or Silicon Valley imports. It's being shaped organically by Indian doctors, engineers, policy thinkers, and entrepreneurs who are joining forces. This pluralistic model with many voices but one mission could well become a template for emerging economies around the world. In a landscape where access to a doctor can mean the difference between life and death, AI's potential is undeniable. But its success will depend on something far more human: our ability to collaborate. The most transformative technology for health care is not an algorithm. It is the alignment of purpose, people, vision, and AI through collaboration.
News18
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- News18
No Questions, No Fights? Inside The New 'DADT' Relationship Trend
Last Updated: In a world where constant connectivity can feel overwhelming, more and more couples are rejecting the notion that love must come with surveillance A quiet but noticeable shift is underway in the dynamics of modern romantic relationships. Many young couples, especially those navigating long-distance love, live-in arrangements, or fast-paced professional lives, are embracing a trend that sidelines a core feature of traditional romance, i.e. accountability. The buzzword defining this new wave is 'DADT", short for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell". At first glance, it sounds like something out of military policy archives, but in the world of relationships, DADT has taken on an entirely different meaning. Simply put, couples who subscribe to DADT choose not to probe into each other's personal lives, and equally, don't feel obligated to share every detail. 'In today's relationship culture, people want connection without intrusion," explained relationship expert Priyanka Shrivastava, speaking to News18 Hindi. 'Many individuals want emotional companionship but draw a strict line when it comes to personal independence. They don't want to be monitored or questioned about their movements, conversations, or friendships," she said. According to Shrivastava, this philosophy is gaining popularity particularly among working professionals and young people in urban settings, where privacy is held sacred. 'They are saying – don't ask where I was, and I won't ask about your day either. It's not about secrecy. It's about space," she explained. Possessiveness, once seen as a sign of deep affection, is now viewed by many as a red flag. Young adults, especially those juggling demanding careers or separated by distance, find solace in a system where there's no need for daily debriefings or emotional policing. The absence of routine check-ins or interrogations ironically strengthens the trust. Those in long-distance relationships, in particular, often see DADT as a survival mechanism. With fewer fights over missed calls or late-night outings, the relationship runs on mutual respect rather than constant explanation. A Quarrel-Free Zone? 'Most relationship conflicts stem from attempts to control or micromanage a partner's life," Shrivastava said, adding, 'When people start questioning your clothes, your friends, your eating habits – it breeds suspicion, irritation, and eventually conflict." The DADT model, on the other hand, removes the spark that typically ignites these arguments. With no expectation to report or explain, couples often experience fewer emotional blowups. Many report that this leads to more peaceful coexistence and fewer feelings of resentment. But At What Cost? Still, not all is rosy in the world of 'don't ask, don't tell". Experts caution that while the model may work well for some, it's not a universal fix, and certainly not without risks. 'DADT requires emotional maturity," Shrivastava warned, adding, 'Both partners need to be secure, communicative in other ways, and clear about boundaries. Otherwise, what begins as space can easily become emotional distance." One of the chief criticisms of this relationship style is the lack of emotional intimacy. When couples stop asking each other questions, they may also stop engaging deeply. This can lead to communication gaps, feelings of loneliness, and even a higher risk of infidelity, as emotional needs go unmet. 'For people who are emotionally expressive, DADT can feel cold and alienating," said Shrivastava, adding, 'When one partner needs to talk but senses the other is detached, it creates silent tension. Over time, this can erode the bond." Like many trends in modern relationships, DADT reflects the ongoing evolution of how people view love, trust, and personal autonomy. While it offers breathing space and minimises conflict for some, it demands emotional intelligence, clear boundaries, and honest expectations.
