India’s AI-Backed Traditional Medicine Models Featured in WHO Brief

According to the Ministry of Ayush, the document highlights AI-based innovations across Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa Rigpa, and homoeopathy systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged India’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in traditional medicine in its technical brief, Mapping the Application of AI in Traditional Medicine.

According to the Ministry of Ayush, the document highlights AI-based innovations across Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa Rigpa, and homoeopathy systems.

These include diagnostic support tools that combine traditional assessment methods, such as pulse reading, tongue examination, and Prakriti assessment, with machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks.

The brief follows India’s earlier proposal on the subject, leading to WHO’s first roadmap on AI in traditional medicine.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, said, “India's AI initiatives, mentioned in WHO's brief, reflect the commitment of Indian scientists to advancing traditional medicine through cutting-edge technology. By integrating AI with Ayush systems, and through digital platforms such as the SAHI portal, NAMASTE portal, and the Ayush Research Portal, India is not only safeguarding its centuries-old medical wisdom but also leading the way in shaping a future of personalised, evidence-based, and globally accessible healthcare.”

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, said, “The WHO document highlights India's AI-driven innovations, such as 'Prakriti-based machine learning models' to the 'Ayurgenomics project that brings together Ayurveda knowledge and modern genomics.'”

He added that the Ayush Grid, launched in 2018, serves as the foundation for the SAHI, NAMASTE, and Ayush Research portals. “Together, these AI-enabled platforms are not only preserving and validating India's traditional knowledge systems of medicine but are also advancing their global integration within evidence-based, digital healthcare frameworks,” Kotecha said.

The brief also references India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) as a model for preserving indigenous medical heritage.

It highlights AI applications in genomic decoding of herbal formulations, drug action pathway identification, and comparative system studies across Ayurveda, Unani, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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