WHO Unveils First AI-Traditional Medicine Roadmap Recognising India’s Global AYUSH Leadership.
International
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its first technical roadmap in July 2025 on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with traditional medicine. The release came through a report titled “Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine”, highlighting India’s pioneering role in digitising and globalising ancient systems like AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy).
- This roadmap, developed based on India’s proposals, marks WHO’s first major step in formalising a global AI-based framework for traditional health systems. It positions India at the forefront of combining AI with traditional medicine to develop evidence-based healthcare solutions for the future.
- The roadmap emphasised India’s platforms such as SAHI (Showcase of Ayurvedic Historical Imprints), NAMASTE (National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardised Terminologies Electronic Portal), and ARP (Ayush Research Portal) as key digital enablers.
- These platforms aim to preserve centuries-old medical texts and offer an accessible research base for the world. The ARP portal serves two critical roles: safeguarding traditional knowledge and creating globally acceptable AI-augmented treatment models.
Main Point :- (i) WHO acknowledged India’s innovation in AI and traditional medicine, recognising it as a leading force in shaping the digital healthcare ecosystem. It also praised India’s efforts to document, codify, and modernise AYUSH systems in partnership with global AI communities and health institutions.
(ii) India also became the first country to establish a TKDL (Traditional Knowledge Digital Library), which has earned global recognition for responsibly preserving indigenous medical heritage. TKDL is now a global model for digitising traditional knowledge systems with AI-backed intelligence and accessibility.
Director-General : Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
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