India has launched an artificial-intelligence powered upgrade of its Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, becoming the first country to digitise and systematise its centuries-old medical heritage. Unveiled on 20 July, the platform collates formulations and diagnostic techniques drawn from Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy, translating and coding them in formats recognised by global patent offices. The Ministry of Ayush said machine-learning tools will organise complex texts, trace links between ancient remedies and modern diseases, and help researchers identify leads for drug discovery. By providing verifiable prior art, officials also hope to curb biopiracy after past attempts by foreign companies to patent Indian herbal treatments. The World Health Organization, which advised on the project, called the digitisation a significant step toward integrating traditional and modern medicine. New features, such as AI-assisted pulse and tongue analysis and emerging ‘Ayurgenomics’ studies that combine genetic data with Ayurvedic body types, are expected to feed future clinical research and personalised therapies. New Delhi plans to open controlled access to the database for scientists and health-tech firms worldwide, positioning the library as a model for countries seeking to preserve indigenous medical knowledge while fostering innovation.