Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in a rapidly digitalizing research environment: ethics and intellectual property considerations

This editorial explores the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM), with a focus on emerging ethical and intellectual property (IP) concerns. Although AI has the potential to improve evidence synthesis, support clinical decision-making, and streamline research processes, its use in TCIM is not without challenges. Issues related to data quality, bias, and the underrepresentation of traditional knowledge systems are of particular importance. The editorial also considers how existing IP frameworks may be poorly suited to protect collectively held traditional knowledge, raising concerns about consent and benefit sharing. Thoughtful governance, greater transparency, and meaningful engagement with knowledge holders will be essential to ensure that AI applications in the context of TCIM are developed ethically.