BEIJING, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – China is broadening the application of artificial intelligence within traditional Chinese medicine by connecting digital tools with education, research, and clinical practices. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine has created Xinhuo TCM, a large language model tailored specifically for traditional medical knowledge. This system incorporates classical texts, medical theories, herbal data, prescriptions, and teaching resources. Its initial version launched in 2025, with ongoing enhancements throughout 2026.
Xinhuo TCM functions as a model with 70 billion parameters, designed for applications in traditional Chinese medicine. It supports education, research, administrative tasks, and international communication within the field. Students can inquire about herbal combinations and receive detailed explanations of formulas and their underlying medical principles. The platform also aids users in accessing extensive traditional medicine data, enabling educators and researchers to retrieve information more swiftly—something that previously required time-consuming manual review.
AI is also making its way into practical training for traditional medical techniques. Developers have created an intelligent robot that demonstrates massage techniques used in traditional Chinese medicine education. This innovation offers students an additional method to observe standardized movements during their training. Other digital initiatives include medical knowledge management systems, pre-consultation platforms, and diagnostic support tools. Collectively, these projects illustrate how Chinese institutions are integrating AI across various segments of the traditional medicine system.
Digital policies promote AI adoption in traditional medicine
From 2026 to 2030, China has incorporated artificial intelligence into its national strategy for developing traditional Chinese medicine. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in collaboration with the National Development and Reform Commission, issued a plan in July emphasizing the creation of high-quality AI datasets tailored for traditional medicine. The strategy also advocates for enhanced digital infrastructure, intelligent clinical assistance, and the establishment of smart traditional medicine hospitals. Primary healthcare centers are part of this digital expansion effort.
The policy emphasizes data management as a key element in expanding AI’s role within traditional medicine. It promotes stronger regulations on data classification, safeguarding, and compliant sharing across the sector. The authorities endorse standardized intelligent equipment for clinical services, education, and scientific research. Digital systems are expected to organize medical literature and structure information from experienced practitioners, making large repositories of traditional medicine knowledge easier to search, analyze, and manage.
AI becomes increasingly vital in clinical support systems
Researchers are also exploring the use of artificial intelligence within traditional Chinese medicine healthcare environments. Recent investigations have focused on AI pre-consultation systems that gather patient information prior to a doctor’s appointment. In one evaluation, physicians responded more favorably to data collection than to several decision-support functions. The study also highlighted limitations related to capturing complaints, workflow integration, documentation, and access for older patients. These results provide balanced insights into how such systems perform during routine medical practice.
Currently, China’s AI initiatives encompass traditional medicine classrooms, research endeavors, data management systems, and clinical support tools. These technologies assist in organizing vast knowledge bases and structuring information before patient consultations. The national policy grants formal recognition to AI datasets and digital health infrastructure, emphasizing their importance in advancing traditional medicine. Existing projects integrate specialized language models, intelligent training devices, and hospital-oriented systems—all centered on traditional Chinese medicine as the core subject of each application.