WHO Recognizes India’s Leadership in AI for Traditional Medicine

Relevance: GS III Science and Technology

The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged India’s leadership in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to traditional medicine (TM), including homeopathy, Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, and Sowa Rigpa, in a historic recognition. This acknowledgement is provided by WHO’s first-ever technical brief, “Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine,” which was published as part of the Global Initiative on AI for Health (GI-AI4H), which was started in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Applications of Al in Indian TM

Al is being used to assist in diagnosis by fusing machine learning and deep learning with conventional methods such as Prakriti assessment, tongue analysis, and pulse reading.

• Combines the concepts of Ayurveda and genomics. Al assists in determining disease risk factors and customizing medical recommendations according to an individual’s Ayurvedic constitution.
• Determine the mechanisms of medication action: Create chemical sensors to evaluate Ayurvedic principles such as Virya, Guna, and Rasa.

The Main Obstacles to Using Al in Traditional Medicine

Indigenous resources and expertise could be exploited for financial gain without permission.

• Access and usage are restricted by inadequate infrastructure and insufficient levels of digital literacy. Absence of Quality Data: Traditional medicine frequently lacks the sizable, trustworthy datasets that Al requires.
• It’s challenging to strike a balance between the global use and standardization of Al tools and their local relevance.

Al’s potential in TM can only be fully realized by tailoring WHO’s frontier technologies guidelines to the particular requirements of TM systems, concentrating on developing robust data governance frameworks—particularly to safeguard the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities—and fostering international collaboration.

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Initiatives from India that could help Al in Traditional Medicine

Digitalized traditional medical practices from Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and yoga are available through the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). Ayush Grid is a primary digital platform for traditional medicine that was introduced in 2018. The AYUSH Health Management Information System (AHMIS), a cloud-based information system utilized by numerous clinical facilities, is one of the important efforts it supports.

• For services related to traditional medicine; • SAHI Portal: Standardization of Ayurvedic Health Information
• The Ayush Research Portal, which provides centralized access to research; The Yoga Locator and Ayush Sanjivani mobile applications.

The 2023 Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit a multi-stakeholder project that seeks to close the knowledge gap between theory and practice regarding.

Mains:

Question: Artificial Intelligence can enhance the efficacy of traditional medicine, but challenges like data scarcity and localization persist. Analyze how India can address these challenges to scale up AI adoption in TM.

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MCQs

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Question: Consider the following statements regarding the Global Initiative on AI for Health (GI-AI4H):

1. It is a joint initiative by WHO, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and World Bank.
2. WHO’s first-ever technical brief on AI in Traditional Medicine was released under this initiative.
3. India proposed the idea that led to the release of the brief titled “Mapping the Application of AI in Traditional Medicine.”

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

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