Visitors from the Middle East are introduced to TCM Brain's AI diagnostic system. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

A digital health revolution is underway in China, where AI is transforming traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into a global, accessible tool for the future of healthcare.

At the forefront is Hangzhou-based startup TCM Brain, which has developed AI systems capable of diagnosing patients, prescribing herbal remedies, and even performing acupuncture via intelligent robots.

Visitors from the Middle East recently traveled to Hangzhou to experience this next-gen TCM, which blends ancient wisdom with modern AI. At TCM Brain's center, users can receive personalized food therapy by scanning their tongue, consult an AI version of medical sage Sun Simiao, and witness robots conducting cupping therapy — turning traditional Chinese medicine into a visible, tangible, and scalable health solution.

A foreign visitor gets diagnosed by the AI system. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Since its founding in 2015, TCM Brain has issued over 60 million AI-generated TCM prescriptions across more than 10,000 institutions in China. The company's AI not only digitizes the diagnostic logic of old masters but also empowers grassroots doctors and brings expert-level care to remote areas. "We're not replacing doctors — we're helping young ones stand on the shoulders of giants," said founder Gu Gaosheng.

Backed by China Resources Life Science Group, TCM Brain has won national awards for its AI models, which integrate classic texts with modern medical data to enable individualized treatment. Gu's vision is bold: to build a trillion-yuan AI-powered TCM ecosystem and take Chinese medicine global.

"Ten years ago, we looked up to Silicon Valley. Today, Chinese AI is shaping the future," Gu said. "TCM is not mysticism — it's a profound, data-rich medical science."

A woman sticks out her tongue to get diagnosed by the AI system. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]