A national conference on “AI and Ayurveda” was held under “Ayu-Tech Navonmesh 2026” on the occasion of the 6th Foundation Day of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar. The conference held extensive deliberations on integrating Ayurveda with modern digital technology, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research, and the possibilities for its responsible use in healthcare services.

In a conversation with ITRA’s channel Ayush Next Communication Network (ANCN) on the sidelines of the event, Dr. Geetha Krishnan, Head of the Traditional Medicine Research, Data and Innovation Unit, WHO-GTMC, said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to understand Ayurveda better and make its application more effective. However, before adopting any new technology, a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda science is essential. AI should work as a complement to Ayurveda, not replace its core knowledge and wisdom. Maintaining the authenticity of Ayurveda while exploring the possibilities of modern technologies is an important responsibility of the Ayurveda world. By adopting a balanced approach, we can harness the potential of AI without compromising the core principles of Ayurveda. Establishing the right balance between tradition and innovation is our collective responsibility. Only by doing so can we take Ayurveda forward in a meaningful, effective and sustainable manner.”

Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari, Director, ITRA Jamnagar, said that Ayu-Tech Navonmesh 2026 has proved to be an important platform for innovation and collaboration for the future of Ayurveda. She said it provided an important platform to encourage dialogue between traditional Ayurvedic knowledge and advanced technology, and furthered discussion on the ethical, scientific and practical aspects of the potential use of AI in Ayurvedic research, education, drug development and healthcare services.

Shri Sameer Pujari, AI Lead, Digital Health and Innovation (DHI), WHO Headquarters, highlighted the potential of AI in the preservation of knowledge. He emphasised the global collaboration among WHO, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), ongoing since 2018, to advance AI applications in health. He also discussed the risks and challenges associated with AI, including ethical aspects, data privacy and regulatory barriers, particularly in the context of traditional medicine.

Shri Naman Goyal, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Ayush Grid, Ministry of Ayush, said that the basic concepts, applications and working of AI and Machine Learning (ML) were covered, including key processes such as data collection, data processing, model training, testing and prediction. AI-driven chatbots and key digital tools under Ayush Grid were also showcased, and the presentation underlined the important role of these tools in strengthening digital health services and advancing technology-based Ayush services.

The conference aimed to link Ayurveda’s rich traditional knowledge with modern digital technology and encourage new possibilities in research, innovation and healthcare services. Ayurveda scholars, researchers, academicians, technology experts and national and international delegates shared their views, in person and online, across the sessions on the effective, ethical and scientific use of AI. Discussions covered potential applications of AI in Ayurvedic drug research and development, quality assurance, clinical trials and education, with special emphasis on integrating traditional knowledge with modern data-based methods, making research more effective, encouraging new product development and advancing technology-based healthcare services.

Thematic Sessions and Expert Participation

Sessions and expert discussions were held on the following themes:

• Artificial Intelligence, digital knowledge and global transformation in traditional medicine systems
• Responsible AI for Ayurveda: ethics, scientific evidence and innovation
• The potential of AI-based Ayurveda, from traditional practices to intelligent healthcare services
• Use of AI for innovation, product development and responsible clinical trials in Ayurveda

Experts from various reputed national and international institutions participated as keynote and principal speakers. They included Prof. Shubhada Nagarkar (Professor and Head, Department of Library and Information Science, and Coordinator, Centre for Publication Ethics (CPE), Savitribai Phule Pune University); Dr. Rajiv Vasudevan (Founder, Managing Director and CEO, Apollo Ayurveda Hospitals, Bengaluru); and Dr. Sumer Singh (Associate Professor, Department of Design, IIT Delhi).

Other speakers from the fields of Ayurveda and AI included Dr. Maki Kajiwara (Technical Officer, WHO-GTMC); Dr. Girish Tillu (Principal Investigator–Ayush, Centre of Excellence, Department of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University); Dr. Sandeep Kale (Assistant Professor, Department of Rasashastra and Vikriti Vigyan, R. A. Podar Government Ayurved Medical College, Mumbai); Dr. Rajeshwari Singh (Senior Adviser, Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI, Health Systems Division, WHO, Switzerland); Prof. (Dr.) Mitali Mukherjee (Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Jodhpur); Dr. Santosh Dixit (Principal Domain Expert, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Persistent Systems); Dr. Ganesh Karaikhede (Healthcare Domain Expert, AI QT Group, C-DAC, Pune); and Dr. Bala Pesala (Founder and CEO, Ayur.AI).

The 6th Foundation Day of ITRA Jamnagar was celebrated yesterday, 15 October 2026, as “ITRA Day”, with strategic MoUs and collaborative initiatives, expert lectures, discussions on AI and Ayurveda, and institutional honours and awards. ITRA is the country’s first Ayurveda institute to be granted the status of Institute of National Importance, dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 15 October 2020. Over the past six years, its NABH-accredited 300-bed hospital has provided consultation and treatment to 18,47,807 patients through 22 OPDs and treated 27,520 patients in the IPD. The Institute also marked one year of its official TV channel, ANCN, and offers courses in Ayurveda, Ayurveda pharmacy, Yoga and Naturopathy.

The conference reaffirmed the commitment of ITRA to advancing Ayurveda through responsible AI, with tradition and innovation moving forward together.

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