For this special issue we are thrilled to present to you “Robots and Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare in Japan and South Korea.” As we are all well aware, and have discussed on many occasions in the past, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pervasive and influential force in societies worldwide in recent years. It is among EASTS’ most urgent missions to document the ongoing development and unfolding practical application of AI in Asian societies. We welcome future submissions and look forward to publishing more articles that delve into this landscape of innovative technologies.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our guest editors, Dr. Giulia De Togni and Dr. James Wright, for spearheading this important special issue, which illuminates the emergence of robots and AI within the healthcare sector. It is particularly insightful that the articles juxtapose views of this phenomenon from diverse vantage points, ranging from ethnographic close-ups of user interactions with the technology to policymakers’ deliberations on its implementation. Additional details about each contribution can be found in the introduction authored by Dr. Wright and Dr De Togni.
This issue also includes a tribute to the life and scholarship of Professor Adele E. Clarke, a longstanding member of the editorial board of EASTS who passed away earlier this year. It features a memorial essay jointly penned by past and present editors of EASTS, Professors Chia-Ling Wu, Wen-Hua Kuo, and Jia-shin Chen, as a tribute to her invaluable contributions.