From ancient knowledge to artificial intelligence

As we all know, Ayurveda is the ancient Indian organic system of healing that is flourishing till today. In fact, I believe that it is even more relevant today, due to increase in stress-related ailments. Ayurveda is an empirical system and has recorded the results of its practical usage. The texts contain the details of a staggering number of plant products, minerals and other natural substances, along with their medicinal properties, methods of extraction, specific combinations and prescriptions.

You may ask: “Where does artificial intelligence (AI) figure in an ancient system?” My experience has been in the realm of Ayurvedic beauty and healthcare, where we have combined Ayurveda with advanced cosmetic techniques. Between the ancient times and today, we have seen the phenomenal growth of the beauty and wellness industry. For any system to be accepted, improved and applied, scientific assessment is necessary. This is where AI has increased in importance.

AI has taken us into the world of computers and robots, like scenes from a science fiction movie. Actually, AI can be simply defined as “machines that imitate human behaviour”. Computer programming is, in fact, based on human behaviour, using language, memory, ability to recall, rectify mistakes and so on. In other words, the programme should be such that it “must be able to do many different things in order to be called intelligent”. Sophia, a robot, was created in 2015. She not only resembles a human being, but is made of a material much like human skin that allows her to show expressions of emotion. She can converse and even has a sense of humour! Perhaps, she can be programmed to provide beauty advice and prescriptions too. She can do many such things, but the fact remains that she has to be programmed.

Programming has helped prepare a database that can take many individual characteristics into account, so that it is possible to manufacture a product that is specifically meant for an individual, rather than conforming to broader specifications, like “skin type”. Ayurvedic data fed into computer programmes can help in identifying a particular “dosha” or “prakriti” and select the medicine or herbal product accordingly. AI has made it possible to find a custom-made product for each individual.

When I started my first herbal salon, more than four decades ago, I followed the principle of customised beauty care, at the client card level. It was like preparing a database. The details of the individual client would be noted down in the client card. Apart from basic details, the details of allergies, past history, past treatments and current treatments are noted down. We maintain these records. But, now with computer programming, it is possible to create immense databases, with many more details, like geographical region, ethnic characteristics, etc. The customer can refer to the virtual card, fill in the details and search for a custom-based product online.

With the help of AI, the customer may be able to find a skin profile that is totally personalised and unique, so much so that it may not fit another person. If such detailed data is taken into account by product developers, it may be possible to make similar products, with or without a particular ingredient, making it suited to one person, but not to another. Medical professionals or pharmacists may also be involved to work out the different aspects of programming.

It seems the possibilities are limitless with further development of technology. But I still feel that it is human intelligence which helps prepare the systems of AI. Only a human being has the ability to say whether a particular product feels good or not. Only a human being can judge whether the product really does all that it promises to do. Can we rely totally on machines and AI?