Ministry of Ayush to Introduce AI in Ayurvedic Education

This initiative aims to equip students with a strong foundation in traditional medicine while incorporating modern technological advancements to improve healthcare delivery and research.

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (Ayush) is set to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) curricula to modernize the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM).

This initiative aims to equip students with a strong foundation in traditional medicine while incorporating modern technological advancements to improve healthcare delivery and research.

To implement this plan, the Ministry is working on creating a benchmark framework to introduce AI as an elective subject.

The framework is being developed through consultations with global experts and industry leaders to ensure that AI integration enhances the scientific validation, efficiency, and global recognition of traditional medicine systems.

Developing a Standardized Framework

The Ministry has been evaluating the readiness of the traditional medicine sector for AI integration. This includes creating a standardized framework for AI adoption and developing educational tools to support AI learning.

The framework is designed to enable students to understand how AI can be used to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through Ayurvedic principles.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the importance of this initiative. He noted that the Centre of Excellence (CoE) component of the Ayurswasthya Yojana, a project sanctioned to IIT Jodhpur, aims to combine functional genomics, electronics, digital health, and AI.

This initiative will focus on realizing evidence-based Ayurvedic solutions under the P5 medicine model: Personalized, Preventive, Predictive, Participatory, and Promotional Healthcare.

The Ministry has also collaborated with global organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to align AI benchmarks with global standards.

The department participated in a global technical consultation on AI applications in traditional medicine, focusing on mapping AI’s role in improving the accuracy and efficiency of Ayurvedic treatments.

Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy & Treatment Planning

Experts believe that AI integration into Ayurveda education can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.

Pooja Sabharwal, Assistant Professor at the Government of NCT of Delhi, stated that AI algorithms can identify patterns in complex datasets related to Ayurvedic diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and treatment outcomes.

“Training students to apply AI in traditional medicine can empower them to deliver more comprehensive care and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape,” Sabharwal said.

AI can assist Ayurvedic practitioners in diagnosing diseases more accurately and predicting the effectiveness of various treatments.

Sabharwal also noted that AI could enhance patient care by enabling more personalized treatment strategies.

By analyzing patient data, AI tools can suggest tailored Ayurvedic treatments, improving patient outcomes and advancing the overall effectiveness of traditional medicine.

AI’s Role in Education & Healthcare Delivery

According to Kotecha, AI-driven platforms can automate administrative tasks, assist in curriculum development, and provide real-time feedback to educators.

This would allow faculty members to focus more on mentoring students and practical training. AI tools can also make Ayurvedic knowledge and services more widely accessible, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

“AI is set to transform how Ayurveda is taught and practiced,” Kotecha said. “The development of AI-driven educational tools will enhance the learning experience, making it more efficient and interactive for students.”

The Ministry’s Ayush Grid initiative, launched in 2017, has already integrated technology with Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

Through Ayush Grid, students receive training in modern technologies to improve healthcare services.

AI is expected to play a critical role in the Ayush Education Learning Management System (AELMS), Ayush Hospital Management Information System (AHMIS), Ayush Research Portal, Namaste Portal, y-Break application, and e-Charak platform.

“AI-driven analytics are being developed under the Ayush Grid to improve decision-making and enhance healthcare accessibility,” Kotecha added.

Strengthening Research with AI

Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), stated that integrating AI into research methodology courses will enable students to conduct data-driven research in traditional medicine.

Acharya explained that the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), the regulatory body of Ayush education, is taking strategic steps to strengthen the research infrastructure.

This includes developing a curriculum that incorporates data science, AI, and machine learning tailored to Ayurvedic studies.

He highlighted that forming partnerships with technology companies and AI research institutions will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities. Faculty development programs will also be introduced to train educators on AI applications in Ayurveda.

Acharya stressed the importance of preparing students for an evolving healthcare landscape where technology and AI are playing an increasingly vital role in public health services.

“Students trained in AI will be better equipped to adapt to technological advancements and deliver more effective healthcare solutions,” he added.

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