Artificial intelligence in the COVID-19 pandemic: balancing benefits and ethical challenges in China’s response

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across various domains, notably in healthcare, epidemic management, and public sentiment analysis. Focusing on China as a case study, this paper critically examines AI’s societal and individual impacts during the pandemic. Through a synthesis of literature and case analyses, we highlight AI’s dualistic role—its potential benefits alongside emerging challenges related to privacy, security, autonomy, and freedom. The study emphasizes the crucial importance of public acceptance, normative frameworks, technological advancement, and global collaboration in navigating these challenges. We advocate for comprehensive social policies to govern AI responsibly, ensuring ethical integrity and efficiency in future public health crises. The insights aim to inform policy decisions, guide healthcare stakeholders, and enrich public discourse, promoting a balanced approach to AI in healthcare.