WHO Recognizes India’s AI Integration in Traditional Medicine

On 12th July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged India’s leadership in merging Artificial Intelligence (AI) with traditional medicine in its first technical brief, initiated by India, titled “Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine.”

Key Points

Global Recognition: WHO's first-ever technical brief on AI in traditional medicine was prompted by India’s proposal, showcasing India as a global leader in digital health innovation.
Ayush & AI Synergy: India’s AI initiatives in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy include predictive diagnostics, personalized care using Prakriti-based machine learning, and the Ayurgenomics project, blending Ayurveda with modern genomics.
Digital Health Ecosystem: Platforms like the Ayush Grid (2018), SAHI, NAMASTE, and Ayush Research Portals are driving AI-led transformation of traditional medicine, enabling citizen-centric, evidence-based healthcare.
Knowledge Preservation: The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) was lauded as a global model, using AI for semantic analysis of ancient texts and digitizing indigenous therapeutic knowledge.
Scientific Advancements: AI is being used to identify drug action pathways, conduct cross-system studies, and decode molecular properties like Rasa, Guna, and Virya, enhancing the scientific validation of formulations.
Economic Contribution: With a market size of US$43.4 billion, India’s Ayush sector is also seen as a driver of economic growth and healthcare innovation.