WHO, ITU, WIPO Release Technical Brief on AI in Traditional Medicine

A New Report on AI Use in Traditional Medicine

During the 2025 AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released a new technical brief titled “Mapping the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine” [1][2]. The brief, released under the Global Initiative on AI for Health, provides a roadmap to responsibly harness AI’s potential in traditional medicine practices while safeguarding cultural heritage and data sovereignty [1]. It showcases how AI is being used in many countries to unlock new frontiers in personalized care, drug discovery, and biodiversity conservation [1]. For instance, the Ayurgenomics project in India combines genomic data with Ayurvedic concepts to identify predictive disease markers and enable targeted prevention through personalized health recommendations [2]. Meanwhile, researchers in the Republic of Korea are using AI to examine traditional medicine compounds for treating blood disorders [1].

The brief calls for urgent action to uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) and ensure that AI initiatives adhere to principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) [1]. It highlights the importance of community-led data governance models from Canada, New Zealand, and Australia and urges governments to enact policies that empower Indigenous Peoples to retain control over and benefit from their data [1][2]. The document also stresses the importance of high-quality, inclusive data and participatory design practices so that AI systems accurately reflect the diversity and complexity of traditional medicine [1]. In this article, we will take a look at the risks and challenges of using AI in traditional medicine, which developers need to carefully address when designing new tools and technologies, as outlined in the brief, and the potential benefits of AI in medicine.

Risks and Challenges in the Application of AI in Traditional Medicine

The brief highlights several significant risks and challenges associated with the use of AI in traditional medicine that developers must carefully address when designing new tools and technologies [2]. Many of these risks arise from the unregulated or poorly managed application of AI, which can lead to unintended consequences that impact both the technology and the communities it aims to serve [2]. To mitigate these risks, stakeholders are urged to establish clear AI policies, enforce data quality standards, and develop robust ethical frameworks [2]. Without such measures, the integrity of traditional knowledge systems may be compromised through commercialization without proper consent, the erosion of cultural heritage, and insufficient digital infrastructure that could restrict fair and equitable access to AI innovations [2].

Potential Benefits of AI in Medicine

There are many examples where applications of AI in medicine can benefit both the healthcare sector and the broader community, by either accelerating the speed of research or supporting healthcare professionals in making more informed treatment and diagnostic decisions [3]. For example, machine learning models can monitor patients’ symptoms and alert doctors when risks increase, aiding early detection and diagnosis of diseases [3]. This technology can gather data from medical devices to identify more complex conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed [3].

Additionally, AI enables personalized treatment design by learning from patient data in real time [3]. Healthcare services could provide patients with 24-hour access to AI-powered virtual assistants that answer questions based on individual medical history, preferences, and needs [3]. AI also improves the efficiency of clinical trials by speeding up the search for medical codes linked to patient outcomes, reducing the time and cost of research. In drug development, AI helps lower costs by optimizing drug design and identifying promising drug combinations while managing the challenges posed by Big Data in life sciences [3]. Furthermore, AI already plays a crucial role in medical imaging [3]. As effective as human radiologists, it is capable of identifying early indicators of breast cancer and a variety of other medical conditions [3].

Conclusion

This joint WHO-ITU-WIPO technical brief provides a roadmap for responsibly harnessing AI in traditional medicine, balancing innovation with the protection of cultural heritage and data sovereignty. The report underscores critical risks that must be carefully managed to ensure ethical and equitable AI deployment. Challenges such as unregulated use, biopiracy, and the erosion of cultural heritage pose serious threats to Indigenous communities and traditional knowledge systems. To mitigate these risks, strong governance, inclusive data practices, and legal protections are essential. Moreover, the broader applications of AI in medicine—from early diagnosis and personalized treatment to speeding clinical trials and improving imaging accuracy—showcase AI’s transformative impact on healthcare. Moving forward, balancing innovation with responsible stewardship will be key to maximizing AI’s benefits while safeguarding the rights and knowledge of all communities involved.

Notes and References

1. WHO, ITU, WIPO showcase a new report on AI use in traditional medicine. (2025, July 11) - World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/11-07-2025-who--itu--wipo-showcase-a-new-report-on-ai-use-in-traditional-medicine
2. Van Hal, J. (2025, July 14). AI for Good Global Summit: WHO, ITU, and WIPO Map Potential for Inclusive Use in Traditional Medicine - Nutrition Insight. https://www.nutritioninsight.com/news/who-itu-wipo-ai-traditional-medicine.html
3. What Are the Benefits of Intelligence Artificial in the Medicine? (2023, March 10) - Telefónica. https://www.telefonica.com/en/communication-room/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-intelligence-artificial-in-the-medicine/