In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, a unique convergence is gaining ground—Artificial Intelligence (AI) and traditional medicine. With global healthcare systems facing increased demands, there is growing interest in how advanced technologies can support age-old medical practices. The recent two-day global consultation on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Global Health: Advancing Traditional Medicine,” held from September 11-12, marks a significant milestone in this journey. The event was hosted by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Centre and the Department of Digital Health and Innovation. This consultation represents a forward-thinking attempt to marry ancient wisdom with modern technology, offering an exciting new direction for healthcare worldwide.

The Purpose Behind the Consultation: This international event brought together 60 experts from 15 different countries, including representatives from leading organizations such as WHO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Their collective goal was to explore how AI could be seamlessly integrated into traditional medicine practices. One of the major outcomes of this gathering is a forthcoming technical brief, slated for release in October 2024, that will provide guidelines for incorporating AI in traditional medicine. Another significant result is the joint WHO-WIPO guidance on AI and intellectual property within the field of traditional medicine, scheduled to be published over the next year.

The consultation focused on key areas such as creating a global AI-powered repository for traditional medicine knowledge, developing specialized training modules for professionals in the field, and understanding the ethical, legal, and privacy challenges associated with AI in healthcare. Participants also discussed how AI can help discover new treatments by analysing vast amounts of historical medical data, paving the way for more effective and personalized therapies in traditional medicine.

The Role of AI in Traditional Medicine: One of the key talking points during the consultation was how AI could enhance the efficacy of traditional medicine. Traditional medicine, which includes systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Unani, has been practiced for centuries. However, the wealth of knowledge these systems possess is vast and often fragmented, making it difficult for practitioners to access the most up-to-date information. AI, with its ability to analyse large datasets quickly, could provide practitioners with new insights by synthesizing historical treatment methods, patient data, and research findings.

AI could also assist in the standardization of traditional medicine practices, which is one of the main challenges facing this field. Unlike allopathic medicine, traditional medicine often varies in treatment approaches based on regional or cultural differences. AI could help create a more unified database of treatment protocols, making it easier for practitioners around the world to offer consistent and effective care.

Additionally, AI has the potential to modernize diagnostic techniques in traditional medicine. Systems like Ayurveda rely heavily on the practitioner’s expertise in diagnosing diseases based on a patient’s physical and psychological characteristics. By incorporating AI algorithms, these diagnoses could become more precise, allowing for more accurate treatments that align with both modern and traditional principles.

India’s Leadership in Merging AI and Traditional Medicine: India, with its rich history of traditional medicine and a rapidly growing tech industry, is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative. The country’s National Health Policy 2017 and the Ayush Grid framework provide a roadmap for the digital integration of traditional healthcare systems. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, emphasized that digital technologies like AI, e-health, and cloud computing can revolutionize healthcare systems in India. According to Kotecha, these technologies offer the potential to enhance accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the cost of care.

At the heart of India’s efforts is the Ayush Grid, a comprehensive digital health platform aimed at integrating the country’s traditional medicine systems with modern healthcare infrastructure. Through AI, this platform can provide patients and practitioners with real-time access to treatment data, research findings, and personalized health recommendations. The Ayush Grid framework envisions a healthcare system where modern and traditional medicine can coexist, offering a holistic approach to patient care.

Prof. Tanuja Nesari, Director of AIIA, applauded the diversity of perspectives at the consultation, stating that they will be instrumental in shaping future policy on AI in traditional medicine. This policy is expected to promote AI-driven innovations that can improve patient care, reduce healthcare costs, and elevate the status of traditional medicine within the global health ecosystem.

Challenges in Implementing AI in Traditional Medicine: Despite the promising future, the adoption of AI in traditional medicine is not without challenges. Dr. Karthik Adappa from WHO SEARO highlighted that developing countries, in particular, face significant obstacles, including insufficient infrastructure, concerns over data privacy, and ethical questions surrounding AI. Many healthcare systems in these countries are underfunded and lack the technological infrastructure needed to implement AI effectively. Additionally, AI systems require vast amounts of data, which poses privacy and security risks, especially in countries with weak data protection laws.

Another ethical challenge is ensuring that AI is used responsibly in traditional medicine. AI algorithms, by nature, can only be as good as the data they are trained on. If AI systems are trained on biased or incomplete data, they could potentially provide inaccurate or harmful recommendations. For example, AI systems trained exclusively on data from one cultural or ethnic group may not be able to provide accurate treatment recommendations for patients from different backgrounds.

To address these challenges, international collaboration will be essential. Initiatives like the global consultation held at AIIA provide a forum for experts from different countries and fields to share their knowledge and experiences. WHO’s Sameer Pujari outlined the organization’s Global Initiative on AI for Health, which promotes the responsible use of AI through policy development, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

The Future of AI in Global Healthcare: Looking ahead, the potential for AI to revolutionize traditional medicine—and healthcare more broadly—is immense. As AI continues to evolve, it will likely play an increasingly important role in both diagnosing diseases and providing personalized treatment recommendations. For traditional medicine practitioners, this could mean access to new diagnostic tools, more efficient treatment protocols, and a global repository of knowledge.

In the coming years, we can expect to see AI-powered platforms that combine the wisdom of traditional medicine with the precision of modern medical technology. These platforms will likely allow practitioners to offer more personalized and effective treatments, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

However, realizing this vision will require ongoing investment in infrastructure, education, and research. Policymakers will need to develop regulations that ensure the responsible use of AI in traditional medicine while protecting patient privacy and preventing bias. Furthermore, healthcare providers will need to be trained in the use of AI tools and platforms to ensure that they are used effectively.

The global consultation on “Artificial Intelligence for Global Health: Advancing Traditional Medicine” marks a significant step forward in the integration of AI into traditional healthcare practices. With the collaboration of international experts and organizations, the future looks bright for the fusion of ancient healing wisdom and cutting-edge technology. The plans to release a technical brief and global guidance on AI and traditional medicine by 2024 signal a growing recognition of the importance of this field. As AI continues to evolve, it holds the potential to enhance the accessibility, accuracy, and efficacy of traditional medicine, offering hope for a more holistic and inclusive global healthcare system