China is pushing forward with AI in healthcare, aiming to revolutionize diagnostics, research, and patient care across the country.Over the weekend, experts gathered in Beijing for the 2025 China Medical Development Conference. This two-day event has run annually since 2021.Leaders in medicine, AI, public health, pharmacy, and mathematics explored how technology can transform healthcare and medical research.
Wang Chen, president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, shared a strategic roadmap for AI in healthcare integration.He explained that short-term plans focus on pilot programs. Mid-term goals involve international collaboration and broader AI adoption.Long-term visions include creating an ecosystem powered by AI in healthcare, connecting research, treatment, and hospital management.
Zheng Hairong from Nanjing University emphasized ethical data governance as vital for successful AI breakthroughs in biomedical fields.He highlighted brain-computer interfaces and medical imaging as key areas needing cross-disciplinary teamwork to solve technical barriers.
China has also expanded its “AI Plus” initiative in healthcare over recent years. The plan supports cross-institutional data sharing.It also promotes standard platforms and the development of AI tools tailored to medicine. These changes aim to increase diagnostic precision.Throughout the event, speakers stressed the importance of safety and responsibility in AI development. Trust from the public remains essential.
Shen Jianfeng of the National Health Commission called for building robust medical data systems and AI language models.He also urged stronger interdepartmental cooperation and more support for ethics-focused medical training programs.The conference spotlighted thirteen standout innovations in the “Top Medical Advances in China 2024” list.
These breakthroughs were chosen from over 310,000 research projects and mark key moments for China’s health innovation efforts.Among them, researchers introduced a tool to detect Alzheimer’s up to 18 years before symptoms start. Another achievement included a gene therapy for hereditary deafness, offering new hope for genetic hearing loss treatment. With continued collaboration, China aims to lead the world in advancing AI in healthcare.Digital transformation, guided by ethical standards, could reshape the future of medical care and public health.
