Artificial intelligence is changing the way we think about healthcare, offering new ways to connect, diagnose, and support patients—especially through telemedicine. More people than ever are speaking to their doctor from home, getting advice online, and sharing data from their devices. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and it’s full of promise. But is it enough? Where does technology stop and real human insight begin?
In a recent episode of the Development Aid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam sat down with Professor Krishnan Ganapathy, a veteran neurosurgeon and one of the world’s leading voices on digital health. Together, they cut through the hype to talk honestly about what AI can—and can’t—do for medicine today.
Download the transcript of this episode.
Ganapathy doesn’t shy away from the benefits. He’s seen firsthand how remote consultations and wearable gadgets make it possible to spot health issues early, save time, and reach people who might otherwise be left behind. He’s comfortable with the future—“A clinician who’s not AI literate is a menace to society,” he says. Still, the heart of his message is caution. “Chatbots may handle routine questions, but they cannot get inside my brain—or understand my patient’s real needs.” No app or algorithm, he insists, can read the whole story behind a symptom.
Instead, Ganapathy believes that good care depends on context, conversation, and trust. “The human-trained brain understands not just symptoms, but a patient’s story—their social status, their context, and can factor in what matters most.” He’s wary of putting too much faith in technology and sees doctors as the guardians of real judgment. “AI can recommend, but only humans should decide management for real people, at real moments.”
He calls for proper training, careful oversight, and honest conversations between doctors and their patients about what technology can—and cannot—be trusted to do. “A fool with a tool is still a fool,” Ganapathy says with a smile. “Technology is only useful in the right hands.”
This episode reminds us that new tools are exciting, but real care is personal. As healthcare moves forward, it’s the human touch—and the wisdom behind it—that will always matter most.
In line with his vision for advancing digital health, Professor Ganapathy is playing a pivotal role as Scientific Advisor for the upcoming Transforming Healthcare with IT (THIT 2026), South Asia’s leading international conference on telemedicine and digital health. Scheduled for January 30–31, 2026, in Hyderabad, India, THIT brings together global experts, innovators, and policymakers for keynotes, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to translate talk into real-world technology adoption. While Ganapathy is a staunch advocate of telemedicine, he emphasizes the importance of physical, face-to-face conferences in driving collaboration and meaningful change. His tireless efforts not only elevate the conversation but help bridge the gap between concept and impact, ensuring technology serves the cause of accessible, patient-centered care. For more details or to participate, visit www.transformhealth-it.org.
Listen to the full episode on DevelopmentAid Dialogues. Stay informed. Stay engaged.
