BEIJING, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – China is broadening the application of artificial intelligence within its traditional Chinese medicine sector by connecting digital tools with educational programs, research activities, and clinical practices. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine has created Xinhuo TCM, a specialized large language model centered on traditional medical knowledge. This system draws from classical texts, medical theories, herbal data, prescriptions, and educational resources. Its initial version was launched in 2025, with ongoing expansion of its functionalities throughout 2026.
Xinhuo TCM functions as a model with 70 billion parameters, specifically designed for applications in traditional Chinese medicine. It supports a wide range of activities including education, research, administrative tasks, and international communications related to the field. Students can inquire about herbal combinations and receive detailed explanations of formulas and their underlying medical principles. Additionally, the system assists users in navigating extensive repositories of traditional medicine knowledge, providing educators and researchers with quicker access to information that once required time-consuming manual review.
AI is also making its way into hands-on training for traditional medical techniques, exemplified by the development of an intelligent robot that demonstrates massage methods used in traditional Chinese medicine education. This innovation offers students an alternative means to observe standardized movements during training sessions. Other digital initiatives are focused on managing medical knowledge, pre-consultation systems, and diagnostic support, illustrating how Chinese institutions are leveraging AI across multiple facets of the traditional medicine system.
Digital strategies integrate AI into traditional medicine practices
From 2026 to 2030, China has also incorporated artificial intelligence into its national development blueprint for traditional Chinese medicine. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in collaboration with the National Development and Reform Commission, released the plan in July. The initiative emphasizes the creation of high-quality AI datasets tailored specifically for traditional medicine, while also promoting digital infrastructure, intelligent clinical assistance, and smart traditional medicine hospitals. Primary healthcare facilities are included within the scope of this digital expansion.
A key focus of the policy is emphasizing data management as a vital component of broader AI adoption, with directives aimed at strengthening regulations on data classification, protection, and compliant circulation within the traditional medicine sector. The authorities advocate for standardized intelligent equipment to support clinical services, education, and scientific research. Digital systems are tasked with organizing medical literature and structuring practitioner knowledge, which can significantly facilitate the search, study, and management of large bodies of traditional medicine data.
AI’s role in clinical support is also expanding
Researchers are actively exploring the integration of artificial intelligence within traditional Chinese medicine healthcare environments. Recent investigations have focused on AI pre-consultation systems that gather patient information prior to medical appointments. Physicians reacted more favorably to the data collection process than to several decision-support functions evaluated in the same study. The research also highlighted limitations related to complaint recording, workflow integration, documentation, and accessibility for older patients. These findings offer valuable insights into how such AI systems perform in everyday clinical settings.
Currently, China’s AI initiatives encompass educational programs in traditional medicine, research projects, data management systems, and clinical support tools. These technologies assist in organizing extensive knowledge repositories and structured information before patient consultations. Supported by national policies, AI datasets and digital health infrastructure are now recognized as integral elements of traditional medicine development. Present efforts combine specialized language models, intelligent training devices, and hospital-oriented systems, all maintaining traditional Chinese medicine as the core subject of each application.