India Launches World’s First Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
India became the first nation in the world to establish a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). This initiative seeks to protect and propogate India’s wealth of traditional medicine systems using technologies of the new age including Artificial Intelligence (AI). The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged all of India’s actions here are significant moments for global healthcare innovation.
A New Digital Step In The Life Of Traditional Medicine
Each country’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a new online repository model for the academia and collect and protect the ancient knowledge of the systems like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Homoeopathy or any health care paradigm in the developing world. TKDL uses AI-based tools to catalogue and decipher old texts and texts of practices, simplifying the process and incoporating them into the current definition of health care.
This library creates a barrier against misappropriation of India’s traditional medicine and ASHTAIDAK is committed to research in science and gives researchers access to ancient knowledge in a modern approved process.
The World Health Organization (WHO), published a report titled Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine, acknowledged India for exploring new initiatives, as AI in AIYUSH. The report demonstrated acceptance in India, as the examples were varied in the application of AI, and include, examination of pulse, analysis of tongue, and example of Prakriti utilizing machine learning.
One example is Ayurgenomics, which is a new sector that considers the areas of genomics with Ayus and provides personcentred health recommendations. While there is more to be discovered, AI implementation is being utilized to identify additional indications for herbal medicines for modern diseases.
Government Leaders and Global Vision
Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed AI for the social good – particularly in health. During the GPAI Summit in 2023, he also shared India’s “AI for all” vision. The Ministry of Ayush also shared how Indian scientists are realizing the possibility of modern technology and traditional wisdom coming together.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said India’s work represents a strong commitment to innovating and positively impacting global healthcare through a balance of systems and ways of knowing.
What This Means for the World
The TKDL and India’s activities relating to AI in traditional medicine represent an global example of how to nurture and protect the ancient knowledge of humanity. India is using AI to look at its own systems like Ayurveda against others such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These activities are also resulting in the development of instruments including artificial sensors to measure the former traditional knowledges of Rasa, Guna, and Virya. WHO also commended India’s digital platforms that offer online consultations, assist Ayush practitioners, and build bridges between traditional culture and modern health systems.