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India, France Launch New Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS New Delhi

India, France Launch New Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS New Delhi

• By PharmaNews Live Desk
• New Delhi
• Feb 19, 2026

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Photo Credit: PIB

India and France have deepened their strategic partnership in healthcare innovation with the launch of a new Indo-French Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Health at AIIMS New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation in digital health and medical research.

The new centre, inaugurated on February 18, 2026, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, seeks to promote joint research, academic collaboration and innovation in artificial intelligence applications for healthcare.

New AI Health Centre at AIIMS Strengthens Bilateral Collaboration

The Indo-French Centre for AI in Health has been established under a Joint Memorandum of Understanding between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University, and the Paris Brain Institute, with academic collaboration extending to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and leading French institutions.

The launch took place during the high-level Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) programme hosted at AIIMS, which brought together policymakers, scientists, and healthcare leaders from both countries.

The new centre at AIIMS is designed to function as a hub for interdisciplinary research, training and innovation in artificial intelligence, particularly in areas such as brain health and global healthcare systems.

Macron Calls for Trusted and Ethical AI Systems

Speaking at the inauguration, French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the importance of building sovereign and ethical AI capabilities.

He stated: “India and France are committed to developing the computing capacity and talent necessary to build our own trusted AI systems, as we cannot rely solely on technologies created and managed elsewhere. 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.”

Macron highlighted that AI must be deployed responsibly, ensuring that technological progress strengthens societies rather than deepening inequalities.

In a post on social media platform X, he further wrote, “In New Delhi, we are inaugurating the Franco-Indian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, led by AIIMS, Sorbonne Universite, and the Brain Institute. Research, training, innovation: France and India are mobilising AI for the common good!”

India Reaffirms Commitment to AI-Driven Healthcare

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, who participated in the inauguration at AIIMS, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in strengthening India’s digital health ecosystem. He underlined that the new AI centre at AIIMS will accelerate research, encourage innovation, and contribute to improved patient care outcomes.

Officials noted that the centre will support knowledge exchange, joint research programmes, and mobility of researchers and students between India and France.

RUSH 2026: Forum on AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare

The inauguration coincided with RUSH 2026 sessions, including the Indo-French Forum on “AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare.” The forum provided a platform for scientists, clinicians, and policymakers to deliberate on AI applications in medical diagnostics, disease modelling, and health system strengthening.

During the event, President Macron also participated in a session titled “RUSH – Conversation on Artificial Intelligence,” engaging with young Indian innovators on the future of AI.

A Step Forward in Digital Health Diplomacy

The launch of the new Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS New Delhi builds upon broader India-France cooperation in digital health, antimicrobial resistance, health workforce development, and responsible data governance.

With this initiative, both nations aim to leverage artificial intelligence to address complex healthcare challenges while upholding ethical standards and transparency.

The new AIIMS-based centre is expected to emerge as a key institutional platform driving Indo-French collaboration in health technology and innovation in the years ahead.