'Medicorobots' As an Emerging Biopower: How COVID-19 Has Accelerated Artificial Intelligence in A Post Corona-World

ABSTRACT

The novel pathogen Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has created a global crisis. Currently, the limits of public health systems and medical knowhow have been exposed. COVID-19 has challenged our best minds, forcing them to return to the drawing board. Fear of infection leading to possible life-long morbidity or death has embedded itself in the collective imagination leading to both altruistic and maladaptive behaviours. Although, COVID-19 has been a global concern, its advent is a defining moment for artificial intelligence. Medicorobots have been increasingly used in hospitals during the last twenty years. Their various applications have included logistic support, feeding, nursing support and surface disinfection. In this article we examine how COVID-19 is reframing technology/human interactions via medicorobots, and the future implications of this relationship. In the last section we predict possible developments in artificial intelligence and how they may benefit future humanity in medicine.