Privacy Protection in Using Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare: Chinese Regulation in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are now widely employed in China’s medical and healthcare fields. Enormous amounts of personal data are collected from various sources and inserted into AI algorithms for medical purposes, producing challenges to patient’s privacy. This is a comparative study of Chinese, United States, and European Union operational rules for healthcare data that is collected and then used in AI functions, particularly focusing on legal differences and deficiencies. The conceptual boundaries of privacy and personal information, the influence of technological development on the informed consent model, and conflicts between freedom and security in rules of cross-border data flow were found to be key issues requiring consideration when regulating healthcare data used for AI purposes. Furthermore, the results indicate that the appropriate balance between privacy protections and technological development, between individual and group interests, and between corporate profits and the public interest should be identified and observed. In terms of specific rule-making, it was found that China should establish special regulations protecting healthcare information, provide clear definitions and classification schemas for different types of healthcare information, and enact stricter accountability mechanisms. Examining and contrasting operational rules for AI in health care promotes informed privacy governance and improved privacy legislation.

Exploring the current and prospective role of artificial intelligence in disease diagnosis

“…These diagnostic tools rely on extensive patient data, including sensitive medical information. Consequently, stringent measures for data privacy are imperative to ensure the confidentiality of patient information and comply with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the USA 45 , 46 . Implementing robust data encryption, access controls, and data anonymisation techniques plays a crucial role in minimising the risk of data breaches.…”

Balancing Privacy and Progress: A Review of Privacy Challenges, Systemic Oversight, and Patient Perceptions in AI-Driven Healthcare

“…However, with this advancement come significant challenges concerning patient privacy and agency. The risk of privacy infringement due to the misuse of pseudo-anonymized patient data [7,8] is a primary concern. Sophisticated techniques can potentially re-engineer anonymized data to identify individuals, thus breaching patient confidentiality.…”

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Dentistry

“…Privacy and security concerns: AI systems require large amounts of patient data to function, which can lead to privacy and security concerns, especially with the growth of electronic medical records ( 76 , 77 ).…”