New Delhi, Oct. 17: The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar, hosted a national conference titled “Ayu-Tech Navonmesh 2026” to explore the integration of Ayurveda and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The conference was organised as part of ITRA’s sixth Foundation Day celebrations. Experts discussed the role of AI in Ayurvedic research, education, drug development and healthcare services, with an emphasis on ethical and scientific applications.
ITRA Experts Highlight Responsible AI in Ayurveda
Dr. Geetha Krishnan, Head of the Traditional Medicine Research, Data and Innovation Unit at WHO-GTMC, said AI could improve understanding and application of Ayurveda. However, she stressed that technology must complement traditional knowledge rather than replace its core principles.
ITRA Director Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari described the conference as an important platform for innovation and collaboration. She said discussions addressed the ethical, scientific and practical aspects of using AI in Ayurvedic research, education and healthcare.
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Sameer Pujari, AI Lead for Digital Health and Innovation at WHO headquarters, highlighted AI’s potential to preserve traditional knowledge. He also discussed global collaboration involving WHO, the International Telecommunication Union and the World Intellectual Property Organization since 2018.
Pujari outlined challenges related to ethics, data privacy and regulatory barriers, particularly in traditional medicine.
Naman Goyal, Officer on Special Duty at the Ministry of Ayush’s Ayush Grid, presented AI and machine learning concepts, including data collection, processing, model training, testing and prediction. The conference also showcased AI-driven chatbots and digital tools designed to strengthen Ayush services.
Sessions covered responsible AI, digital knowledge systems, intelligent healthcare services, product development and clinical trials. Experts also examined AI applications in Ayurvedic drug research, quality assurance, education and the development of new healthcare products.
Speakers included Prof. Shubhada Nagarkar of Savitribai Phule Pune University, Dr. Rajiv Vasudevan of Apollo Ayurveda Hospitals, Bengaluru, and Dr. Sumer Singh of IIT Delhi.
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Other participants represented WHO-GTMC, IIT Jodhpur, C-DAC Pune, Persistent Systems and Ayur.AI, alongside institutions specialising in Ayurveda and digital health.
ITRA celebrated its sixth Foundation Day on October 15, 2026, as ITRA Day. The celebrations featured strategic memorandums of understanding, collaborative initiatives, expert lectures and institutional awards.
ITRA became the country’s first Ayurveda institute to receive Institute of National Importance status. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the institute to the nation on October 15, 2020.
According to the institute’s figures, its NABH-accredited 300-bed hospital has provided consultations and treatment to 1,847,807 patients through 22 outpatient departments. It has also treated 27,520 patients through inpatient services.
The institute also marked one year of its official television channel, Ayush Next Communication Network (ANCN). Its courses cover Ayurveda, Ayurveda pharmacy, Yoga and Naturopathy.
The conference reaffirmed ITRA’s focus on combining traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern technology while maintaining scientific standards and responsible AI practices.
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