Online Media and Global Health in the AI Era

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape healthcare—from precision diagnostics to real-time patient monitoring—its impact on global health practices is both profound and multifaceted (Topol, 2019). This technological evolution brings forth not only extraordinary possibilities but also complex ethical and societal questions. How is AI shaping public perceptions of healthcare, and to what extent are these perceptions influenced by cultural and national contexts? Can global media coverage during a crisis like COVID-19 truly inform, or does it risk amplifying fear and misinformation? And as digital health tools like electronic medical records (EMRs) become essential, are patients’ concerns about privacy and trust in these systems being adequately addressed? These are not just academic inquiries; they resonate deeply with current global challenges and speak to some of the most pressing debates in healthcare and technology today (Ashok et al., 2022; Compagnucci et al., 2022; Liang et al., 2021). This issue explores these critical questions through three thematic articles, each offering rich insights into the intersection of online media, AI, and global health.

Online media in global health: Shaping perceptions and trust across borders

One of the compelling studies in this issue, titled “News media imaginaries of artificial intelligence in healthcare: A qualitative analysis across China, Germany and the United States” by Brause et al. (2024), explores the sociotechnical imaginaries of AI in healthcare, focusing on how news media in China, Germany, and the United States depict AI in ways that reflect each country's unique healthcare and media systems. This article is particularly timely as AI's role in healthcare expands, and it raises essential questions about how differing cultural and systemic factors influence the adoption of AI-driven health interventions across diverse sociopolitical contexts.

Another significant contribution, “What we convey when we talk about public health crisis: A case study of global media coverage of COVID-19 using big data approach” by Chen et al. (2024), leverages a massive dataset to analyze media coverage of COVID-19 across 67 countries. The authors provide a comprehensive view of media portrayals and their impact on public perceptions during the pandemic. Their big data analysis reveals how different media narratives can shape responses to health crises, emphasizing the critical role of responsible journalism in influencing public understanding and reinforcing the need for accurate, nuanced reporting during times of crisis.

The third thematic article shifts to the patient experience, examining the factors that influence the adoption of EMRs among chronic disease patients. Using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey over three time points and Information Foraging Theory, Ma's (2024) study explores how privacy concerns, patient-provider communication, and digital health trust influence EMR engagement. This article complements the broader, system-level analyses in prior literature (O’Donnell et al., 2018), by offering insights into how patient trust in health technologies can evolve when data security and privacy issues are prioritized.

These three thematic articles collectively highlight critical intersections between online media, global health, and the transformative role of AI. As AI technologies permeate healthcare systems, their impact is not limited to treatment efficacy but extends to shaping public perceptions and expectations (Kelley et al., 2021). The insights provided by this issue suggest that while AI-driven media narratives and digital health tools hold immense potential for global health, they also present challenges that require careful consideration.

Brause et al.'s (2024) exploration of AI imaginaries across China, Germany, and the United States shows how media portrayals can vary dramatically based on national context. As AI in healthcare continues to evolve, understanding these imaginaries can help anticipate public concerns and foster more effective, culturally sensitive health communication strategies. Chen et al.'s (2024) analysis of COVID-19 coverage reveals how media influences the global response to health crises, underscoring the importance of responsible, well-informed journalism. In future pandemics or global health emergencies, media organizations will need to balance rapid information dissemination with accuracy and nuance, harnessing AI tools for fact-checking and real-time public health updates.

Finally, Ma's (2024) findings on EMR usage trends among chronic disease patients demonstrate the value of trust and privacy in digital health adoption. As AI enables more sophisticated data collection and patient tracking, healthcare providers and policymakers must address privacy concerns transparently to maintain patient trust. As we move further into the AI era, the role of media in health communication will inevitably raise new ethical and practical challenges that touch upon societal, ethical, and practical dimensions. These three thematical articles invite readers to reflect on the dual influence of online media and AI in shaping global health practices, offering valuable insights into the complexities of this evolving landscape.

Online media in journalism, diplomacy, and social dynamics: Navigating integrity and representation

In addition to the three thematic articles on global health, this issue features four original articles that extend our understanding of online media's broader impacts on communication, social dynamics, and equity. Degen et al. (2024) explore the challenges faced by journalists adapting to TikTok in their article, “The Tortured Journalists Department? Challenges and Characteristics of Quality Journalism on TikTok in Germany.” They reveal how German journalists strive to maintain core values such as accuracy and relevance while engaging with the platform's demand for entertaining content. Their research highlights the balancing act of preserving journalistic integrity amidst the pressures of virality and provides valuable insights into the evolving role of journalism in the digital age.

Feng et al.'s (2024) analysis of Chinese and American spokespersons’ rhetoric on Twitter further expands the discussion, revealing how social media platforms like Twitter serve as a stage for diplomatic soft power. This research enriches the discourse on international communication and highlights the impact of online media in the context of global power dynamics. Meanwhile, Agbaglo's (2024) study of political discourse on GhanaWeb provides insights into how antagonistic online interactions can foster unexpected solidarity among like-minded users. This reframing of online conflict underscores the potential of digital spaces to serve as spaces for constructive discourse even amidst polarized political environments. Finally, Zhang's (2024) exploration of the historical role of women in foundational tech roles sheds light on the gender disparities that persist in technology and digital labor. This analysis raises important questions about equity and inclusion, especially relevant to today's AI and digital health sectors, where diverse representation is essential for ethical and effective innovation.

Together, these articles deepen our understanding of online media's influence on societal dynamics and highlight critical implications for representation, discourse, and the evolving nature of communication in the AI era. As we continue to grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by digital technologies, these insights invite us to consider how online media can be harnessed to foster informed, engaged, and equitable communities in an increasingly interconnected world.

Media and technology in society: Illuminating insights from book reviews

Last, we are pleased to present two thought-provoking book reviews that further enrich our understanding of the intersections between media, technology, and society. The first review discusses Quantum Ecology: Why and How New Information Technologies Will Reshape Societies, by Stefano Calzati and Derrick de Kerckhove, where David Duenas-Cid (2024) explores the book's examination of quantum information technologies and their potential to transform societal structures and perceptions of reality. By discussing the concept of “Quantum Ecology” and the principles of entanglement and uncertainty in social and cognitive frameworks, the book envisions a shift in knowledge systems that challenges traditional views of individuality and linear thinking. Duenas-Cid's review underscores the book's invitation to rethink contemporary reality through a quantum lens, pointing to the broad implications for power structures, ethics, and social connectivity—a perspective that resonates with the challenges and opportunities presented by AI-based media.

The second review covers Networked Communication: People are the Message, authored by Gustavo Cardoso and reviewed by Shilian Shan and Yingjun Ma in a refreshingly dialogic format. Through this conversational exchange, Shan and Ma (2024) delve into Cardoso's departure from McLuhan's classic notion that “the medium is the message,” highlighting instead Cardoso's view that people are central to communication within a networked society. This dialogic style allows the reviewers to dynamically engage with concepts such as “communication of communication,” polarization, and performative identities, especially as they relate to China's digitally mediated culture. By adopting a conversational approach, the review not only illuminates Cardoso's insights but also demonstrates an innovative, interactive critique of media theories.

In closing, as AI technology advances, so must our understanding of its social and ethical dimensions. This issue's articles provide valuable insights into the complex intersections between online media, AI, and global health, highlighting both the transformative potential of AI and the pressing ethical considerations around trust, privacy, and responsible innovation. These contributions lay a foundation for future research on these interwoven topics, encouraging an informed dialogue on how online media and AI can be harnessed inclusively and responsibly to enhance social good.