GENEVA, Switzerland – July 12, 2025 – Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising traditional medicine, blending centuries-old healing practices with cutting-edge technologies to provide safer, more personalised, effective, and accessible care.
At the AI for Good Global Summit, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) unveiled a new technical brief titled Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine.
Released under the Global Initiative on AI for Health, this brief outlines a strategic framework for responsibly leveraging AI in traditional medicine while safeguarding cultural heritage and data sovereignty.
Holistic Health
Practised in 170 countries and embraced by billions, traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is gaining global traction, driven by an increasing interest in holistic health approaches that prioritise prevention, wellness, and rehabilitation.
This new brief showcases diverse experiences from various countries using AI to advance personalised care, drug discovery, and biodiversity conservation.
Notable examples include AI-powered diagnostics in Ayurgenomics,( machine learning models for identifying medicinal plants), in nations like Ghana and South Africa.
It’s also an application of AI to analyse traditional medicine compounds for treating blood disorders in the Republic of Korea.
“Our Global Initiative on AI for Health seeks to ensure that all countries can harness AI solutions that are safe, effective, and ethical,” stated Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau.
“This collaboration among ITU, WHO, and WIPO leverages essential expertise to drive positive change.”
Data-Driven Innovation
The brief highlights the necessity of high-quality, inclusive data and participatory design to ensure that AI systems adequately reflect the richness and complexity of traditional medicine.
AI can enhance the evidence base and research for TCIM, notably through initiatives like the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in India and the Virtual Health Library in the Americas.
They both utilise AI to preserve Indigenous knowledge, foster collaboration, and combat biopiracy.
Biopiracy refers to the unauthorised extraction of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge from developing countries or the unethical patenting of inventions based on such knowledge without proper compensation.
“Intellectual property (IP) is a crucial driving force for integrating AI into traditional medicine,” remarked WIPO Assistant Director-General Edward Kwakwa.
“Our efforts at WIPO, including the recently ratified WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge, support stakeholders in managing IP to fulfil policy priorities for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.”
Protecting Data
The document emphasises the urgent need to uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) and advocates for AI development guided by the principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).
It showcases successful community-led data governance models from Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, urging governments to enact legislation that empowers Indigenous Peoples to control and benefit from their data.
“AI must not turn into a new avenue for exploitation,” warned Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems.
“We must ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are both protected and actively involved in shaping the future of AI in traditional medicine.”
Global Call
As the global TCIM market is projected to reach nearly $600 billion in 2025, the integration of AI has the potential to significantly enhance the growth and impact of TCIM and holistic health care.
While current AI applications present immense opportunities, they also expose critical knowledge gaps and risks.
There is an urgent need to establish comprehensive frameworks tailored for TCIM concerning regulation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, data governance, and equity promotion.
This ensures the safe, ethical, and evidence-based incorporation of advanced technologies like AI into the TCIM landscape.
The new technical brief urges all stakeholders to: Invest in inclusive AI ecosystems that honour cultural diversity and uphold IDSov.
It also seeks to formulate national policies and legal frameworks specifically addressing AI in traditional medicine
The report calls for enhanced capacity and digital literacy among traditional medicine practitioners and communities
“Develop global standards for data quality, interoperability, and ethical use of AI. Protect traditional knowledge through AI-powered digital repositories and equitable benefit-sharing models.”
By harmonizing the transformative capabilities of AI with the wisdom embedded in traditional medicine, we can pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable future.
