AI-Powered Intelligent Large Models Drive High-Quality Development of TCM Industry

Harnessing, developing and utilizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) effectively relies on artificial intelligence (AI) support, with the "intelligent large model for TCM industry" set to play a pivotal role in this process.

As a key pillar of TCM modernization, the TCM industry is an important strategic sector in China’s biopharmaceutical field. Amid the global manufacturing shift towards greater efficiency and intelligence, digitalization, intellectualization and greenization have become core engines for industrial upgrading. Currently, China’s TCM manufacturing is in a critical transition from mechanization and automation to digitalization and intelligence.

With the implementation of full-process quality control in TCM manufacturing, massive and scattered production data have been generated. Manual identification of their correlation rules is difficult, and information silos across multiple systems hinder feedback regulation and continuous production. To address these issues, proposals have been put forward to build an "intelligent large model for TCM pharmaceutical industry" and promote high-quality development of intelligent TCM manufacturing.

Given the complex dynamic nature of TCM manufacturing, advancing its intelligent development first requires focusing on the research of TCM efficacy substances. By clarifying the material basis, defining the mechanism of action and refining the dose-effect relationship, the consistency and stability of quality throughout the production process can be ensured. On this basis, a dedicated large model will integrate AI technology into the entire chain of raw material selection, process R&D, quality control and production, solving the challenges of TCM standardization and modernization through digital intelligence.

To accelerate the implementation of the large model and strengthen the transformation and promotion of scientific research achievements, multiple measures are recommended. Enterprises should be encouraged to integrate superior scientific research resources, focus on breakthroughs in the innovative application of core technologies such as AI algorithms, big data analysis and blockchain, and develop customized technical solutions.

Relevant national authorities should take the lead in organizing in-depth collaboration between TCM enterprises, research institutes, universities and equipment manufacturing enterprises. Joint efforts should be made in unifying data standards, iterating core technologies and developing adaptive equipment, establishing a closed-loop transformation mechanism of "technology R&D - pilot test verification - large-scale application" to accelerate the transfer of intelligent technologies from laboratories to production lines.

Selecting leading TCM enterprises with solid intelligent foundations to build replicable and promotable demonstration projects is also a key guarantee for technology implementation. These enterprises will be encouraged to deeply apply the intelligent large model for TCM industry, optimize production, data collection and quality control standards, providing a model for the digital transformation of the entire industry.

A recently issued national plan for the high-quality development of the TCM industry (2026-2030) clearly proposes breaking through the intelligent production technology system in core links, defining the direction for high-quality development of intelligent TCM manufacturing. Continuous national policies to promote the high-quality development of the TCM industry reflect strong support for TCM, and developing a dedicated intelligent large model will be the core of intelligent TCM manufacturing progress.

Further efforts are needed to accelerate technology implementation, strengthen the protection and promotion of scientific research achievements, improve the transformation mechanism and build benchmark projects. Deepening the "AI + TCM" innovation initiative and integrating intelligent technologies into all links of TCM pharmaceutical manufacturing will lead the industry to move from "high-quality medicinal materials" to the new modern TCM manufacturing goal of "high-quality materials, high standards, precise control and high-quality medicines". The intelligent large model for TCM pharmaceutical industry will strongly empower the high-quality development of the TCM industry.