By Lolita Mendonca and Agnelo Rodrigues for BIS Mumbai

“Leveraging AI Effectively in Healthcare”

Don Bosco Avsar, Matunga, Mumbai, conducted a two-day Career Guidance Seminar at Holy Family Nursing Institute, Kurla, Mumbai, on February 23 and 24, 2026. The seminar was organised as part of Don Bosco Avsar’s ongoing efforts to prepare students for the evolving world of work.

Over 300 nursing trainees and faculty members participated in the sessions, which were facilitated by AI experts Prof. Kanchan Taksale and Prof. Seema Viswakarma. The speakers guided the participants on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be effectively leveraged in healthcare to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making.

The speakers encouraged students to “befriend” AI tools and view them as enablers rather than threats. They explained how AI can support healthcare professionals by saving time, reducing errors, and improving outcomes, while reaffirming a powerful truth: “In healthcare, technology can assist, but care can never be automated.”

The sessions highlighted how AI helps reduce workload and improves accuracy in areas such as patient monitoring, medication safety, documentation, and mental health support. At the same time, nurses remain central to empathy, trust, ethical judgment, and compassionate care — qualities that cannot be replaced by technology.

Students were introduced to the growing use of AI across various sectors, including HR, finance, marketing, engineering, and healthcare. This reinforced the message that adaptability and willingness to learn are more important than one’s technical background.

A key takeaway from the seminar was the statement: “AI will not take your job, but someone using AI might.”

Addressing concerns about job loss, the speakers drew parallels with earlier fears surrounding computers and the internet. These technologies ultimately increased efficiency and created new opportunities. Similarly, AI cannot replace critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, communication skills, or ethical reasoning — skills that remain uniquely human.

Ethical considerations such as data privacy, bias, and plagiarism were also discussed, highlighting the importance of responsible and informed use of AI in healthcare settings.

Participants were introduced to generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Napkin, Gamma, Canva, and Julius, which can assist with writing, structuring content, designing presentations, and analysing data. The speakers stressed that while these tools are powerful, human oversight and judgment remain essential.

Practical examples were shared on the use of AI-based monitoring systems that track vital signs and provide early warnings for complications, enabling timely interventions. AI tools can also help identify drug interactions, provide dosage alerts, and reduce medication errors.

In documentation, voice-to-text AI systems can speed up charting and reduce paperwork, allowing healthcare professionals to spend more quality time with patients. AI-supported mental health tools can also help nurses manage stress, enhance self-care, and build emotional resilience.

The seminar offered nursing students a glimpse into their future as healthcare professionals, emphasising that AI literacy will be a valuable competency. While technology will continue to evolve, the speakers reiterated that empathy, trust, and ethical care will always remain human.

 Students were encouraged to become confident, AI-literate nurses who are efficient, adaptable, and future-ready.