China is increasingly using artificial intelligence to modernise traditional Chinese medicine, from student training and ancient texts to diagnosis, prescriptions and research.
BEIJING: Artificial intelligence is opening new possibilities for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China, helping students, doctors and researchers analyse centuries of medical knowledge with greater speed and consistency.
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine has led the development of a large AI model trained on extensive TCM knowledge, including classical medical texts, theories, teaching materials, herbal medicines and prescriptions.
Students can use the system to ask questions about combinations of herbal medicines and receive explanations about the reasoning behind different formulas within seconds. The university has also developed an intelligent robot capable of demonstrating traditional TCM massage techniques for practical training.
AI becomes a digital teaching assistant
The technology is increasingly being viewed as a digital assistant capable of helping younger practitioners navigate the enormous volume of traditional medical literature.
Li Ziyuan, a doctoral student at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, said AI can help organise ancient texts, analyse the clinical experience of senior practitioners and support medication recommendations, potentially shortening the learning process for younger doctors.
Research has also found that AI can support areas including herbal screening, drug discovery, personalised treatment, pharmacological research and analysis of complex patient data.
Making diagnosis more measurable
Another potential application is improving the consistency of TCM diagnosis. Huang Luqi, a leading TCM expert, said AI can systematically capture diagnostic methods, prescriptions and treatment experience.
AI-assisted systems could help make some diagnostic information more objective and quantifiable, reducing reliance on subjective interpretation.
However, researchers caution that challenges remain, particularly around data standardisation, model transparency, patient privacy and maintaining the principles of traditional medicine when converting complex practices into digital systems.
China is also incorporating AI into its national strategy for TCM development. A 2026 to 2030 blueprint calls for greater use of digital and intelligent technologies and the creation of high-quality TCM datasets.
Impact to expect
Greater use of AI could accelerate TCM education and research while helping practitioners analyse complex medical knowledge more efficiently, although strong data standards, clinical validation and human oversight will remain essential.
