AI in Traditional Medicine: WHO, ITU & WIPO Reveal 2025 Roadmap

On July 11, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) jointly released a report titled “Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine”. This report was a part of the Global Initiative on AI for Health, which explored how AI use in traditional medicine can enhance health systems by modernizing old treatments like Ayurveda, herbal medicine, and acupuncture.

According to the WHO, over 170 countries recognize and practice traditional medicine. AI, when used responsibly, has the potential to preserve ancient knowledge, improve treatment safety, and increase healthcare access, especially in remote or underserved communities. The report focuses not only on innovation but also on ethical concerns like data privacy and the protection of indigenous knowledge. Let’s explore the main findings in more detail.

How AI Use in Traditional Medicine Is Transforming Healthcare

Traditional medicine has supported communities for thousands of years. But in today’s digital era, the integration of AI, as highlighted in the WHO AI report 2025, is helping us refine and expand these practices to make them more effective.

• The WHO-ITU-WIPO report provides several case studies of how AI is currently enhancing traditional medicine across the globe:
• Text mining tools are analyzing ancient scripts and books to recover forgotten healing methods.
• Machine learning models are helping predict how herbal treatments interact with pharmaceutical drugs.
• Diagnostic AI systems are being used in combination with traditional systems like Ayurgenomics, which combines Ayurvedic principles with genetic information to personalize treatment.
• AI-driven apps are giving people access to culturally relevant health advice based on local traditional medicine practices.
• In Ghana and South Africa, image recognition tools are helping identify plants used in healing. 
• In South Korea, AI is being used to isolate molecules in traditional remedies that could treat blood disorders. 

Additionally, India’s AYUSH system has gained international attention. The WHO specifically recognized India's pioneering efforts in integrating AI into AYUSH through initiatives like the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). These platforms help protect indigenous knowledge and ensure it is not exploited by external parties. 

Why Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine Needs Careful Handling 

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in traditional healing, health experts say it is important to proceed with care. The report from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) highlighted several key areas that need attention:

• Respect for cultural wisdom: AI tools should reflect diverse healing traditions to avoid overlooking important knowledge or misapplying treatments.
• Community control matters: Traditional remedies passed through generations must not be used without proper consent from the communities that safeguard them.
• Protecting personal and cultural data: AI depends on large amounts of sensitive information, making the need for strong data privacy laws essential to prevent misuse.
• Fair recognition and sharing of benefits: There’s a concern that companies may profit from traditional knowledge without crediting its sources. Hence, clear global policies are needed to ensure fairness and inclusion.

What the Report Recommends: A Clear Roadmap 

To guide countries and institutions in safely scaling up AI use in traditional medicine, the report lists several strategic recommendations:

• Improve tech access: Building strong digital systems is essential so AI tools can reach and function in remote or underserved areas.
• Educate all healthcare providers: Both traditional healers and modern professionals need training to understand and use AI effectively.
• Create fair and clear policies: Laws should protect personal data, ensure knowledge ownership, and promote equal benefit-sharing.
• Encourage trustworthy research: Ongoing studies can help prove what AI-powered traditional treatments truly work.
• Protect shared knowledge: Safe platforms must be built to preserve traditional wisdom without risking misuse or exploitation.

These suggestions aim to create an ecosystem where AI strengthens and does not replace local health wisdom and supports universal health coverage goals.

Real-World Impacts and Community Empowerment

The report emphasizes that AI should not be seen as a high-tech tool only for developed countries. When implemented the right way, it can empower communities, support local healers, and boost public health in rural and indigenous populations. For example, the use of AI in community clinics that are powered by local language apps allows villagers to access basic care even when a doctor is miles away. This use of AI healthcare technology is helping bridge the gap between rural needs and urban-based care.

Additionally, countries like India, China, Brazil, and several African nations are developing localized AI tools that work alongside their own traditional medicine systems. India’s TKDL and AYUSH research centers, as acknowledged in the WHO brief, are showing the world how to preserve culture while embracing innovation.

The 2025 WHO, ITU, and WIPO report on AI use in traditional medicine presents a clear vision for a future where technology and tradition work together to improve lives. While AI offers exciting possibilities to modernize centuries-old treatments, the world must move forward carefully, with respect for cultural practices, human rights, and knowledge ownership.

As more countries explore the benefits of AI in their health systems, this report serves as a guide for ethical and sustainable digital health innovation. It encourages governments, developers, and communities to work together to ensure AI supports, not overshadows, traditional healthcare. With the right investment, inclusive design, and global cooperation, AI use in traditional medicine could redefine what accessible, personalized, and culturally respectful healthcare looks like in the 21st century.