Artificial intelligence is now redefining the landscape of traditional medicine, creating a powerful fusion between ancient healing systems and modern technology.
At the AI for Good Global Summit, three global bodies, WHO, ITU, and WIPO, unveiled a technical brief titled Mapping the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine, aimed at setting the direction for safe, ethical, and inclusive adoption of AI within Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM).
With TCIM practiced in 170 countries and relied upon by billions globally, this integration promises enhanced personalisation, accessibility, and effectiveness in care.
The brief illustrates real-world use cases such as "AI-powered diagnostics" in Ayurgenomics, plant-identifying algorithms in Ghana and South Africa, and AI-assisted drug discovery in Korea, revealing how machine learning is expanding the scientific frontier of these long-valued practices.
Beyond its technological potential, the initiative stresses the ethical roots of AI deployment, emphasising the importance of inclusive data, community involvement, and protection of Indigenous knowledge.
Examples like India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library and the Virtual Health Library in the Americas show AI’s role in preserving cultural heritage while deterring "biopiracy"—the unauthorised use or commercialisation of biological resources.
WIPO highlights intellectual property rights as a critical bridge, especially under the recently signed Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. The goal is not just digitisation, but to ensure equitable access, ownership, and benefit-sharing with local communities and Indigenous Peoples.
A central concern outlined in the brief is Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov), advocating for stronger legal protections and community-led governance frameworks to manage how data is collected, stored, and used.
Highlighting models from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the report warns against AI becoming “a new frontier for exploitation” and instead envisions a future where Indigenous populations are active partners in technological development.
This reflects a shift from extractive models of research toward participatory systems that honor both ethical obligations and local autonomy. Ensuring “free, prior, and informed consent” is positioned not as a courtesy but a prerequisite for trust and sustainability.
With the TCIM industry projected to reach nearly $600 billion by 2025, the brief serves as a call to action for governments and health sectors to build holistic frameworks—combining regulation, digital literacy, equity promotion, and interoperability.
These strategies aim to close current gaps in knowledge and ethical guidance while maximising AI’s benefits. The intersection of ancient wisdom and advanced analytics offers the potential to reshape global health narratives, but only if innovation is balanced with justice, cultural sensitivity, and community empowerment.
As the report concludes, harmonising the “power of AI with the wisdom of traditional medicine” could lead to a more equitable future for all.