IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jknowl/v16y2025i2d10.1007_s13132-024-01874-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Pandemic-Resilient Investment: Sustainable Knowledge Infrastructure for Medical AI

Author

Listed:
  • Zhaoxia Deng

    (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies)

Abstract

While the meteoric rise of medical AI promises transformative solutions to global health challenges, ensuring equitable access to these life-saving technologies remains a formidable obstacle. Policymakers wrestle with a seemingly impossible feat: fostering the continued innovation pipeline while bridging the stark divide in accessibility. Existing patent-sharing mechanisms, from compulsory licensing to voluntary pledges, have proven demonstrably insufficient, failing to strike the delicate balance between incentivizing innovation and guaranteeing widespread availability. This paper proposes a bold departure from these one-size-fits-all solutions. Drawing upon the principles of distributive justice, I present a two-pronged solution that tackles the issue from both ends of the spectrum. On the macro level, it calls for international collaboration and reciprocity among states, urging them to fulfill their shared responsibility in making patented medical technologies universally and affordably accessible. On the micro level, it compels patent holders to embrace ethical responsibility, challenging them to confront the inherent inequities of intellectual property protection. This novel framework represents a paradigm shift, holding immense potential to unlock a future where medical advancements reach every corner of the globe. Unlike its predecessors, it recognizes the intricate dance between innovation and access, offering a practical roadmap for policymakers and patent holders. By embracing cooperation and ethical responsibility, we can pave the way for a healthier world where the promise of medical AI translates into tangible improvements for people everywhere, not just a privileged few. This is not simply an academic pursuit but a call to action, a challenge to rewrite the narrative of medical technology distribution and forge a future where health equity reigns supreme.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhaoxia Deng, 2025. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Pandemic-Resilient Investment: Sustainable Knowledge Infrastructure for Medical AI," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(2), pages 6605-6628, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s13132-024-01874-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-01874-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-024-01874-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13132-024-01874-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Hughes, Laurie & Ismagilova, Elvira & Aarts, Gert & Coombs, Crispin & Crick, Tom & Duan, Yanqing & Dwivedi, Rohita & Edwards, John & Eirug, Aled & Galanos, Vassilis & Ilavarasan, , 2021. "Artificial Intelligence (AI): Multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    2. Qiang Wang & Min Su & Min Zhang & Rongrong Li, 2021. "Integrating Digital Technologies and Public Health to Fight Covid-19 Pandemic: Key Technologies, Applications, Challenges and Outlook of Digital Healthcare," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-50, June.
    3. Xiaodong Yuan & Xiaotao Li, 2022. "Pledging Patent Rights for Fighting Against the COVID-19: From the Ethical and Efficiency Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(3), pages 683-696, September.
    4. Valerio Sterzi, 2021. "Patent Assertion Entities and Patent Ownership Transparency: Strategic Recording of Patent Transactions at the Uspto [In Defense of Forum Shopping: A Realistic Look at Selecting a Venue]," Journal of Competition Law and Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 17(4), pages 978-1006.
    5. Marco, Alan C. & Sarnoff, Joshua D. & deGrazia, Charles A.W., 2019. "Patent claims and patent scope," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    6. Sweet, Cassandra & Eterovic, Dalibor, 2019. "Do patent rights matter? 40 years of innovation, complexity and productivity," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 78-93.
    7. Mercurio, Bryan & Upreti, Pratyush Nath, 2022. "From Necessity to Flexibility: A Reflection on the Negotiations for a TRIPS Waiver for Covid-19 Vaccines and Treatments," World Trade Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(5), pages 633-649, December.
    8. Yiqing Su & Yanyan Li & Yanggui Liu, 2022. "Common Demand vs. Limited Supply—How to Serve the Global Fight against COVID-19 through Proper Supply of COVID-19 Vaccines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.
    9. Bustamante, Juana & Oughton, Christine & Pesque-Cela, Vanesa & Tobin, Damian, 2023. "Resolving the patents paradox in the era of COVID-19 and climate change: Towards a patents taxonomy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(9).
    10. Arman Yalvac Aksoy & Catherine Beaudry, 2021. "How are companies paying for university research licenses? Empirical evidence from university-firm technology transfer," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(6), pages 2051-2121, December.
    11. Arenal, Alberto & Armuña, Cristina & Feijoo, Claudio & Ramos, Sergio & Xu, Zimu & Moreno, Ana, 2020. "Innovation ecosystems theory revisited: The case of artificial intelligence in China," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(6).
    12. Sanath Wijesinghe & Chaminya Adikari & Ruwanthika Ariyaratna, 2022. "The proposal for waiver of WTO’s TRIPS Agreement to prevent, contain and treat COVID-19: investigating the benefits and challenges for low- and middle-income countries," Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice, Oxford University Press, vol. 17(2), pages 179-192.
    13. Helen Gubby, 2020. "Is the Patent System a Barrier to Inclusive Prosperity? The Biomedical Perspective," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 11(1), pages 46-55, February.
    14. A. Kumar & V. Mani & V. Jain & H. Gupta & V.G. Venkatesh, 2023. "Managing Healthcare Supply Chain through Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Study of Critical Success Factors," Post-Print hal-04433058, HAL.
    15. The Anh Han & Luís Moniz Pereira & Tom Lenaerts & Francisco C Santos, 2021. "Mediating artificial intelligence developments through negative and positive incentives," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(1), pages 1-21, January.
    16. Susanne Beck & Carsten Bergenholtz & Marcel Bogers & Tiare-Maria Brasseur & Marie Louise Conradsen & Diletta Di Marco & Andreas P. Distel & Leonhard Dobusch & Daniel Dörler & Agnes Effert & Benedikt F, 2022. "The Open Innovation in Science research field: a collaborative conceptualisation approach," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(2), pages 136-185, February.
    17. Suma Athreye & Lucia Piscitello & Kenneth C. Shadlen, 2020. "Twenty-five years since TRIPS: Patent policy and international business," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 3(4), pages 315-328, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang, Wei & Wang, Xueke, 2024. "The impact of patent protection on technological innovation: A global value chain division of labor perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    2. van der Waal, Mark B. & Feddema, Jelle J. & van de Burgwal, Linda H.M., 2023. "Mapping the broad societal impact of patents," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    3. Victor Cui & Rajneesh Narula & Dana Minbaeva & Ilan Vertinsky, 2022. "Towards integrating country- and firm-level perspectives on intellectual property rights," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(9), pages 1880-1894, December.
    4. Jing Liu & Mengbo Wang & Xiaoling Kang & Xia Zhang & Xing Chen, 2022. "Seizing the opportunity window of artificial intelligence in China: Towards an innovation policy mix framework for emerging technologies from an evolution perspective," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 397-414, May.
    5. Yin, Libo & Xin, Yu, 2024. "China's cognitive bias premium: An exploration of innovation information," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    6. Kumar, Sanjesh & Singh, Baljeet, 2019. "Barriers to the international diffusion of technological innovations," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 74-86.
    7. Hoekman, Jarno & Rake, Bastian, 2024. "Geography of authorship: How geography shapes authorship attribution in big team science," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(2).
    8. Kashyap, Abhishek & Shukla, Om Ji & Kumar, Rupesh & Alam, Md Mahmudul & Oberoi, Sarbjit Singh, 2025. "Online retailing and the metaverse: Addressing stakeholder impediments in e-commerce," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    9. Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Rodrigues da Silva, Jassen & Cannarozzo Tinoco, Maria Auxiliadora & Saccani, Nicola & Frank, Alejandro G., 2025. "Artificial Intelligence capabilities in Digital Servitization: Identifying digital opportunities for different service types," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    10. Borba, Rafael Lucas & de Paula Ferreira, Iuri Emmanuel & Bertucci Ramos, Paulo Henrique, 2024. "Addressing discriminatory bias in artificial intelligence systems operated by companies: An analysis of end-user perspectives," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    11. Danai Christopoulou & Nikolaos Papageorgiadis & Chengang Wang & Georgios Magkonis, 2021. "IPR Law Protection and Enforcement and the Effect on Horizontal Productivity Spillovers from Inward FDI to Domestic Firms: A Meta-analysis," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 235-266, April.
    12. Evangelos Katsamakas & Oleg V. Pavlov & Ryan Saklad, 2024. "Artificial intelligence and the transformation of higher education institutions," Papers 2402.08143, arXiv.org.
    13. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2025. "Critical analysis of the impact of artificial intelligence integration with cutting-edge technologies for production systems," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 61-93, January.
    14. Yi Sun & Shihui Li & Lingling Yu, 2022. "The dark sides of AI personal assistant: effects of service failure on user continuance intention," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(1), pages 17-39, March.
    15. Yang, Chao & Huang, Cui, 2022. "Quantitative mapping of the evolution of AI policy distribution, targets and focuses over three decades in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    16. Fu, Shuke & Ge, Yingchen & Hao, Yu & Peng, Jiachao & Tian, Jiali, 2024. "Energy supply chain efficiency in the digital era: Evidence from China's listed companies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    17. Weidong Li & Yalin Qin & Changjie Chen & Meng Wang, 2025. "An investigation into personal data sensitivity in the Internet of Everything—insights from China," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
    18. Byung-Jik Kim & Julak Lee, 2024. "The mental health implications of artificial intelligence adoption: the crucial role of self-efficacy," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    19. repec:osf:socarx:49qxk_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Jiang, Cuiqing & Zhou, Yiru & Chen, Bo, 2023. "Mining semantic features in patent text for financial distress prediction," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    21. Yuexian Zhang & XueYing Wang & Xin Zhao, 2025. "Supervising or assisting? The influence of virtual anchor driven by AI–human collaboration on customer engagement in live streaming e-commerce," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 3047-3070, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s13132-024-01874-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.