China turns to AI to ease overstretched healthcare system

Advancements in AI have the potential to democratise medical access and reshape China’s healthcare model in the next few years.

Published: 8:12pm, 4 Mar 2026Updated: 8:12pm, 4 Mar 2026

China’s overstretched healthcare system has sped up its digital transition when it comes to healthcare-related services. In Shanghai, new parents are testing an AI health app built by Ant Group that lets doctors create digital “twins” of themselves. These avatars can answer common questions about pregnancy, childbirth and baby care. Obstetrician Duan Tao trained his AI agent on medical textbooks, case files and his online content, so it can handle routine queries.

China turns to AI to ease overstretched healthcare system

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Advancements in AI have the potential to democratise medical access and reshape China’s healthcare model in the next few years.

Advancements in AI have the potential to democratise medical access and reshape China’s healthcare model in the next few years.