Artificial intelligence (AI) is entering a transformative era of traditional medicine. This era has strengthened centuries-old healing systems with cutting-edge technology to provide safer, personalized, effective and accessible care.
With the AI of Good Global Summit, the World Health Organization (WHO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have released new technical briefs to map the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine. Launched under the Global Initiative on AI for Health, the brief offers a roadmap that responsibly utilizes this possibility while protecting cultural heritage and data sovereignty.
A new era of traditional medicine
Traditional, Complementary and Integrated Medicine (TCIM) is practiced in 170 countries and used by billions of people. TCIM practices are becoming increasingly popular worldwide due to growing interest in holistic health approaches that emphasize prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation.
The new briefs showcase experiences in many countries to use AI to unlock new frontiers in personalized care, drug discovery and biodiversity conservation. This includes examples such as how AI-driven diagnostics are used in Ayurgenomics. A machine learning model that identifies medicinal plants in countries including Ghana and South Africa. The use of AI to analyze traditional medical compounds to treat blood disorders in Korea.
“AI's Global Initiative for Health aims to ensure that every country benefits from AI solutions and is safe, effective and ethical,” said Seizo Onoe, director of ITU Telecommunications Standards Agency. “This partnership, WHO and WIPO, bring together essential expertise.”
Data-driven innovation with ethical roots
The simplest thing emphasizes the importance of quality, comprehensive data and participatory design to ensure that AI systems reflect the diversity and complexity of traditional medicine. AI applications can support evidence and research-based enhancements in TCIM, for example, using traditional knowledge digital libraries from India and virtual health libraries from America. This uses AI to maintain indigenous knowledge, promote collaboration, and prevent bioseizures. Biosis is the term for patents of false inventions based on such knowledge or resources without compensation, or unauthorized extraction of biological resources and/or related traditional knowledge from developing countries.
“Intellectual property is an important tool to accelerate the integration of AI into traditional medicine,” said WIPO Assistant Director, Edward Kwakwa. “Our work at WIPO, including the recently adopted WIPO treaties on intellectual property, genetic resources and related traditional knowledge, helps stakeholders manage IP and provide policy priorities such as Indigenous people and communities.”
Protect data sovereignty and empower the community
The new document calls for urgent action to support Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSOV) and ensure that AI development is guided by the principles of free, advance and informed consent (FPIC). It introduces community-driven data governance models in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, urging governments to adopt laws that allow Indigenous people to manage and benefit from data.
“AI should not become a new frontier for exploitation,” said Dr. Chugoku Yuzi, deputy director of the health system. “We must ensure that indigenous people and communities are not only protected, but are active partners shaping the future of AI in traditional medicine.”
Global call for action
With the global TCIM market forecast to reach nearly USD 600 billion in 2025, the application of AI could further accelerate the growth and impact of TCIM and holistic healthcare. Although current use and AI possibilities highlight many opportunities, there are many areas of knowledge gaps and risk.
To ensure the safety, ethical and evidence-based integration of frontier technologies into the TCIM landscape, an overall framework tailored to TCIM should be developed in areas such as regulation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, data governance and promoting equity.
New technical requests for all stakeholders are:
- Invest in a comprehensive AI ecosystem that respects cultural diversity and IDSOV.
- Develop national policies and legal frameworks that explicitly address AI in traditional medicine.
- Build competence and digital literacy between traditional medicine practitioners and communities.
- Establish global standards for data quality, interoperability, and the use of ethical AI. and
- Protect your traditional knowledge through AI-powered digital repository and profit sharing models.
By combining the power of AI with the wisdom of traditional medicine, new paradigms of care could emerge. It honors the past, empowers the present, and shapes a healthier and equitable future for all.
