WHO and Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) brought together experts from international organizations, academia, governments and civil society to discuss the governance of traditional medicine knowledge in the age of artificial intelligence.

The event, held alongside the 53rd WIPO Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) meeting, explored how intellectual property, access and benefit-sharing, and data governance can support innovation while protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Experts discussed how AI and digital technologies could accelerate research and drug discovery based on traditional medicine knowledge, while also raising concerns around ownership, attribution, consent and equitable benefit-sharing.

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Speakers highlighted the importance of responsible governance for traditional medicine databases, including prior informed consent, protection of community rights, traceability of knowledge and fair distribution of benefits.

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The discussion also considered the recently adopted WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, with participants emphasizing effective implementation and stronger recognition of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as partners in knowledge stewardship.