Coronavirus Tech: Artificial Intelligence Can Effectively Fight COVID-19 But May Lead To Privacy Breach
by Giuliano J. de LeonThe coronavirus pandemic is being fought in many ways across different countries across the globe. Aside from different safety measures, such as social-distancing and lockdown, and different coronavirus drug candidates, artificial intelligence (AI) is also eyed to be used to end COVID-19 pandemic.
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Coronavirus Can Be Fought Using AI, But Privacy Can Be A Casualty Experts Say
According to Techcrunch's latest report, one of the countries that took advantage of AI is South Korea, successfully slowing down the spread of the novel coronavirus. The country's innovative use of technology alongside widespread quarantine measures is considered as a critical factor in battling the spread of COVID-19 disease.
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As the United States and Europe struggle to cope with the pandemic, AI tools are being used by many governments to enhance their medical research and to manage public health efficiently. Technical solutions for symptom tracking, immunity certificates, contact tracking, and other applications are underway to have long term solutions. However, experts stated that these technologies are essential during the pandemic, but they must be implemented in a way that does not compromise human rights.
South Korea is not the only country conducting containment efforts by leveraging personal data. Other countries such as Iran, Italy, Israel, Taiwan, Singapore, Poland, and China are currently collecting location data from various applications, which is used in many cellphones, that are developed specifically to fight further spreading of the novel coronavirus.
Coronavirus can be fought using AI, but privacy can be a casualty, experts say
Implications for data privacy and human rights exceeded beyond the containment of the novel coronavirus. Widespread data sharing, surveillance, and monitoring could become fixtures of the new modern public life since they are introduced as short-term fixes to the immediate containment of COVID-19.
(Photo : Lukas on Unsplash)
Coronavirus Can Be Fought Using AI, But Privacy Can Be A Casualty Experts Say
Temporary applications may become normalized since they are currently used under the guise of shielding citizens from future public health emergencies. However, dangerous precedents may be set since some governments are hastily deciding to introduce immature technologies, creating laws requiring citizens to use temporary applications.
Sophisticated AI that could deliver a medical cure and manage the public health emergency is currently essential. Short-term risks to human rights and personal privacy of AI might disappear in the light of the loss of human lives. However, if AI can be successful in controlling the coronavirus pandemic, personal privacy and rights must be reinstated to the people.
The coronavirus pandemic might impact governance for decades. The public health emergency across the globe presses concerns, shedding a powerful spotlight on the current systems' gaping shortcomings when it comes to addressing global emergencies, just like the current pandemic.