India Launches World’s First Traditional Knowledge Digital Library

India became the first country in the world to launch a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). This important step aims to protect and promote India’s rich traditional medicine systems using modern digital tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI). The World Health Organization (WHO) praised India’s efforts, calling it a big moment for global healthcare innovation.

A New Digital Step in Traditional Medicine

India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a first-of-its-kind online platform that collects and preserves ancient knowledge from systems like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy. It uses AI-based tools to organize and understand old texts and practices, making this knowledge easier to access and apply in today’s healthcare system.

The library is designed to stop the misuse of India’s traditional medicine and support scientific research. It can also help develop new medicines by studying the effects of age-old remedies in a modern scientific way.

WHO Recognizes India’s Use of AI in Ayush

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report titled Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine, which praises India for using AI to modernize traditional medicine. The report includes examples of AI applications like pulse reading, tongue analysis, and Prakriti assessment using machine learning.

One key development mentioned is Ayurgenomics, a new area that combines genomics with Ayurveda to give personalized health advice. AI is also being used to find new uses for herbal medicines in treating modern diseases.

Government Leaders and Global Vision

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has supported the use of AI for social good, especially in health. At the GPAI Summit in 2023, he shared India’s vision of “AI for all.” The Ministry of Ayush also shared how India’s scientists are working to bring together modern technology and traditional wisdom.

Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said that India’s work shows a strong commitment to innovation and improving global healthcare through a balanced mix of old and new systems.

What This Means for the World

The TKDL and India’s AI work in traditional medicine have become a global example of how to protect and grow ancient knowledge. AI is helping India compare its own systems like Ayurveda with others like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These efforts are also leading to the development of tools like artificial sensors that can measure traditional qualities like Rasa, Guna, and Virya.

WHO also praised India’s digital platforms for online consultations, support for Ayush practitioners, and efforts to connect traditional and modern healthcare systems.