China Invests $3 Billion in AI-Powered Traditional Medicine as Practitioners Use Automated Tongue Scans and Pulse Readings
Summary
China pours $3 billion into AI-powered traditional medicine, enabling automated tongue scans and pulse readings at clinics, while establishing 30 overseas centers to export the tech-enhanced ancient healing practices globally despite challenges quantifying abstract concepts like qi and yin-yang.
Key Points
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in China are integrating AI-powered devices for diagnostics, prescriptions, and treatments, with customers receiving automated tongue scans and pulse readings before getting custom remedies
- The Chinese government is backing TCM's AI transformation with over $3 billion in funding and has established 30 overseas TCM centers as part of its global health strategy
- Despite technological advances, challenges remain as TCM's abstract concepts like yin, yang, and qi are difficult to quantify for AI systems, leading practitioners and patients to maintain caution about relying solely on automated diagnoses