A unique confluence of key factors fuels China’s leadership and momentum ahead of the US in AI health technology. A combination of massive data availability, low-cost labor to prepare this machine learning information, and the need to offset doctor shortages contribute to growth in this highly specialized area. The nation’s 2016 “Healthy China 2030” policy helped set the stage for the country’s overall rise in medical and health technology, with digital companies both established and new vying for resources and regulatory approval.
An increased focus on privacy and data protection accompanies China’s ascension in AI health technology. Unlike the U.S., Chinese health care companies are not required to report data breaches impacting 500+ people, and vulnerabilities have been identified in the data collection at Chinese hospitals, especially as the pandemic has furthered the digitalization of health care. Recognizing the need to better protect personal data, enhanced data privacy security measures are becoming an industry norm. As a significant step, China implemented the Personal Information Protection Law in November 2021.