Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception of COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence: A Cross-Sectional Study Among the Population in Saudi Arabia

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant contributions to the development of medicines and vaccines. In addition, AI can analyze large amounts of COVID-19 test data, including the number of positive cases, to forecast the trajectory of the pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and awareness of the general population in Saudi Arabia regarding AI and its application in combating COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was employed, and online surveys were distributed via email and social media platforms. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants who met the inclusion criteria. The reliability and validity of the survey instrument were also assessed. Results: The majority of respondents (34.6%) fell within the age range of 30 to 39 years. The sample predominantly consisted of female participants. Approximately 59% of respondents reported using at least one AI tool or application on a daily basis. Furthermore, the majority of respondents agreed that digital medical services, mentioned in a previous question, could be beneficial in reducing unnecessary interactions between patients and healthcare providers. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the transformative potential of AI in pandemic response. AI has played a crucial role in various aspects of combating COVID-19, including patient diagnosis, treatment development, and vaccine creation. However, challenges and limitations exist in terms of data accessibility, bias, and privacy when utilizing AI. These issues need to be addressed to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI in the fight against COVID-19 and future pandemics.