Activity

This report provides an overview of the multiple ways that artificial intelligence has been either used or suggested as a tool in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report identifies and analyzes two specific classes of applications of AI that have already been implemented and which present potentially stark implications for marginalized and vulnerable populations (sorting and surveillance.)

For each application, their technical attributes are detailed, and the
ethical, human rights and differential impacts of these applications explored, drawing upon
interviews conducted with experts in the field as well as a wide body of literature. Based on this analysis, a research agenda is proposed to support the fair, just, transparent, and accountable use of those AI applications in the future.

The findings are intended to help raise awareness among populations impacted by the
application of AI-based technologies in the current pandemic and in the future, to inform policy makers and health professionals who determine whether and how these tools are deployed during the current pandemic, during future public health crises, and in general, and to broaden the scope of understanding among developers and researchers in the AI community of the implications of the use of these AI-based technologies.

https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00414-9