AI and Robotics in the Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus and its disease COVID-19 present an unprecedented challenge for humanity. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics may help fighting COVID-19. Potential applications of AI in this accelerating pandemic include, but are not limited to, early detection and diagnosis, massive agent modeling and simulation, data analytics, assistive robots, disinfection robots, public awareness and patrolling, contactless delivery services, virtual healthcare assistants, drug repurposing and vaccination discovery. This chapter sheds light on the roles AI and robotics can play in fighting this disastrous pandemic, and possible future ones, and highlights several potential applications to transform this challenge into opportunities. This chapter also discusses the ethical implications of AI and robotics during the pandemic and in the post-pandemic world.