WHO recognises India’s pioneering role in using AI to advance traditional medicine

New Delhi, Jul 12: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its first-ever technical brief on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in traditional medicine, spotlighting India’s leading role in this emerging field. Titled “Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine,” the publication is the result of India’s proposal and contributions, and outlines a roadmap for integrating AI with traditional healing systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.

The WHO document highlights India’s innovative efforts to harness AI for advancing its Ayush systems through predictive diagnostics, digital platforms, and research that merges ancient wisdom with modern science. Central to this transformation is the Ayush Grid, a digital health infrastructure launched in 2018, which underpins initiatives like the SAHI portal, NAMASTE portal, and the Ayush Research Portal.

India’s leadership in AI-led healthcare innovation aligns with Prime Minister NarendraModi’s broader vision of “AI for all,” aiming to position the country at the forefront of inclusive, tech-driven healthcare. Union Minister of State for Ayush, PratapraoJadhav, called the WHO recognition a validation of Indian scientists’ deep commitment to modernising traditional medicine through cutting-edge tools.

Among the standout innovations featured in the WHO brief is Ayurgenomics, a fusion of Ayurvedic principles and genomics that uses AI to personalise healthcare and predict disease risks based on constitution types (Prakriti). The document also notes India’s use of AI to decode the molecular basis of herbal medicines, enabling their repurposing for modern diseases.

Additionally, WHO praised India’s use of AI-powered diagnostic tools that incorporate traditional methods, such as pulse reading and tongue analysis, with deep learning algorithms, improving the accuracy of diagnoses and enabling personalised, preventive care.

India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) was cited as a global model for digitising and preserving indigenous medical heritage. AI is also being used for semantic analysis of ancient texts and for building tools that compare medicinal pathways across systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani.

The WHO publication recognises India’s efforts not only as a national achievement but also as a significant contribution to global digital health and traditional medicine. The Ministry of Ayush has welcomed the report as a testament to India’s leadership in creating a scientifically robust and globally relevant framework for traditional medicine in the AI era.