Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/216422 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 13110
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a potentially powerful tool in the fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there has been a scramble to use AI. This article provides an early, and necessarily selective review, discussing the contribution of AI to the fight against COVID-19, as well as the current constraints on these contributions. Six areas where AI can contribute to the fight against COVID-19 are discussed, namely i) early warnings and alerts, ii) tracking and prediction, iii) data dashboards, iv) diagnosis and prognosis, v) treatments and cures, and vi) social control. It is concluded that AI has not yet been impactful against COVID-19. Its use is hampered by a lack of data, and by too much data. Overcoming these constraints will require a careful balance between data privacy and public health, and rigorous human-AI interaction. It is unlikely that these will be addressed in time to be of much help during the present pandemic. In the meantime, extensive gathering of diagnostic data on who is infectious will be essential to save lives, train AI, and limit economic damages.
Subjects: 
data science
health
Coronavirus
COVID-19
artificial intelligence
development
technology
innovation
JEL: 
O32
O39
I19
O20
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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