The Future of Theory in Occupational Therapy

Purpose This study analyzes China’s strategic initiatives in metaverse and artificial intelligence (AI) development, examining their impact on academic research, industry innovation, and policy formulation. It aims to understand how government policies and investments have shaped research agendas and to identify challenges and opportunities in these fields. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a comprehensive analysis of government documents, funding schemes, and research output. It examines key policies, investment programs, and academic publications to track trends in metaverse and AI development in China. The study utilizes bibliometric analysis to assess publication trends, citation patterns, and international collaboration networks. Findings China’s proactive approach, characterized by strong government support and significant private sector investment, has led to a substantial increase in research output and quality in metaverse and AI fields. Chinese institutions have become major contributors to global publications, with growing citation rates and presence at international conferences. The research identifies emerging challenges in privacy, ethical AI development, and digital divide concerns. Practical implications The findings provide insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders on the development trajectory of metaverse and AI technologies in China. They highlight the need for balanced approaches to innovation, regulation, and ethical considerations in these rapidly evolving fields. Social implications The study underscores the potential of metaverse and AI technologies to transform various sectors of society, from education and healthcare to entertainment and social interactions. It emphasizes the importance of addressing digital equity and ethical AI deployment to ensure broad societal benefits. Originality/value This research offers a comprehensive overview of China’s approach to metaverse and AI development, providing a unique perspective on the interplay between government initiatives, academic research, and industry innovation. It contributes to the broader discussion on the global development of these transformative technologies and their implications for future technological landscapes.

This study investigates how generative artificial intelligence (AI) could influence the media environment of that country. Given their prevalence in the industry, it seeks to uncover how general process of national advancement is supported by AI-powered technologies in media content generation, distribution, and personalisation. The research gathers data from media professionals, techies, and communication academics in major Chinese cities all around using properly crafted questionnaires in a quantitative manner. One examined the interactions of AI-driven media innovation, modernising pace, and consequences of national development using statistical methods like structural equation modelling and regression analysis. Linking modernism with national development projects, the indices of generative AI used in media show a definite positive link with their influence. Generative AI is becoming more and more important for China's attempts to modernise its communication infrastructure and undergo digital transformation, thereby enhancing the nation's cultural impact, technical capacity, and media creation. Modernism approaches enhance the possibilities presented by AI in media; this research reveals more dynamic storylines, audience interaction feasible, and global outreach. Every one of these components helps to forward objectives for national growth. Regarding developing plans to mix AI with goals for sustainable development, the findings give legislators, media outlets, and AI developers’ useful insights. This study offers a structure for further studies in new media technologies and national transformation by means of an experimental interaction between generative AI and national development seen from the perspective of modernism. It opens the conversation on the social opportunities AI offers.

Since 2019, artificial intelligence (AI) has played an increasingly central role in daily life. Yet, this phase in AI’s evolution is only the beginning of even greater advancements. Catholic institutions, cognizant of the crucial role the Church must assume in the development of AI, have increasingly engaged with this technological frontier. Among these institutions is Longbeard, which has undertaken the creation of Magisterium AI, a compound AI system that leverages several AI technologies and a large database of Catholic knowledge to produce faithful answers. This article offers a critical analysis of the current state of Magisterium AI, drawing on its 2025 Report, Investor Deck, user feedback, and direct engagement with the system to evaluate its alignment with Catholic ethical principles. Specifically, it highlights the expansion of the database as a key area for improvement, while reflecting on the complexities inherent in such an undertaking. The article concludes that the development of a Catholic AI entails more than simply amassing documents in a database. It requires endowing the AI system with a profound grasp of Scripture and its interpretive traditions; a comprehensive knowledge of theology as a whole; a broad acquaintance with the history of ideas, including the development of culture, art, philosophy, and theology; and a finely honed awareness of the evolving nuances of language and cultural sensibilities through which eternal truths are expressed.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies demands significant computing power and specialized talent, giving an advantage to large corporations with abundant resources. While knowledge produced by these firms can foster follow-on innovation across the industry through positive spillovers to startups, it may also prove less relevant or accessible to smaller firms, potentially creating barriers to their innovation. This paper leverages the sudden rise of deep learning in 2012 as an exogenous variation to examine its impact on the AI innovation landscape. The findings indicate that, following the breakthrough in deep learning, big tech companies significantly increased their participation in AI development. However, this increased involvement was associated with a reduced likelihood of deep learning research being used in AI startup patents. Notably, this shift did not affect the probability of these papers being cited in other startup patents or overall patent citations. These results suggest that the trajectory of technological change in the AI industry increasingly aligns with the priorities of large incumbents, potentially at the expense of fostering innovation within the startup ecosystem.

This article reviews, integrates, and expands upon research initiatives that explore the development and implementation of advanced artificial intelligence (AI)–driven tools and methodologies. In exploring collaborations with leading U.S. AI technology firms, including Nvidia, Dataiku, DataRobot, and C3.ai, this study is specifically aimed at identifying, preventing, and combating human trafficking. This collaborative effort seeks to create a synergistic framework that capitalizes on the unique capabilities and resources of each firm. The overarching goal is to enhance the effectiveness of AI technologies in detecting trafficking activities, analyzing diverse data sources, and providing vital support to law enforcement and NGOs in rescue and prevention efforts. The comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted applications of AI, emphasizing its role in prevention through machine learning, data analytics, and natural language processing. It navigates through collaborative initiatives, presenting partnerships with prominent U.S. tech firms, accompanied by case studies that showcase successful collaborative projects. Challenges inherent in collaborative AI efforts are addressed, and the paper proposes strategic solutions to overcome these obstacles. The ethical and legal considerations section scrutinizes the implications of deploying AI in human trafficking prevention, exploring the delicate balance between innovation and safeguarding privacy and civil liberties. Furthermore, the final section anticipates future directions and recommendations, providing insights into emerging technologies that could enhance anti-trafficking efforts. Specific recommendations are offered for fortifying collaborations between AI developers and tech firms, and the paper discusses broader implications for policy, suggesting avenues for future research in the dynamic field of AI-driven human trafficking prevention. In essence, this comprehensive review not only synthesizes existing knowledge but also integrates a forward-looking research initiative, contributing significantly to the ongoing discourse on leveraging technology to combat human trafficking on a global scale.

BackgroundThe rapid trajectory of artificial intelligence (AI) development and advancement is quickly outpacing society's ability to determine its future role. As AI continues to transform various aspects of our lives, one critical question arises for medical education: what will be the nature of education, teaching, and learning in a future world where the acquisition, retention, and application of knowledge in the traditional sense are fundamentally altered by AI?ObjectiveThe purpose of this perspective is to plan for the intersection of health care and medical education in the future.MethodsWe used GPT-4 and scenario-based strategic planning techniques to craft 4 hypothetical future worlds influenced by AI's integration into health care and medical education. This method, used by organizations such as Shell and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, assesses readiness for alternative futures and effectively manages uncertainty, risk, and opportunity. The detailed scenarios provide insights into potential environments the medical profession may face and lay the foundation for hypothesis generation and idea-building regarding responsible AI implementation.ResultsThe following 4 worlds were created using OpenAI’s GPT model: AI Harmony, AI conflict, The world of Ecological Balance, and Existential Risk. Risks include disinformation and misinformation, loss of privacy, widening inequity, erosion of human autonomy, and ethical dilemmas. Benefits involve improved efficiency, personalized interventions, enhanced collaboration, early detection, and accelerated research.ConclusionsTo ensure responsible AI use, the authors suggest focusing on 3 key areas: developing a robust ethical framework, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and investing in education and training. A strong ethical framework emphasizes patient safety, privacy, and autonomy while promoting equity and inclusivity. Interdisciplinary collaboration encourages cooperation among various experts in developing and implementing AI technologies, ensuring that they address the complex needs and challenges in health care and medical education. Investing in education and training prepares professionals and trainees with necessary skills and knowledge to effectively use and critically evaluate AI technologies. The integration of AI in health care and medical education presents a critical juncture between transformative advancements and significant risks. By working together to address both immediate and long-term risks and consequences, we can ensure that AI integration leads to a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for both health care and medical education. As we engage with AI technologies, our collective actions will ultimately determine the state of the future of health care and medical education to harness AI's power while ensuring the safety and well-being of humanity.

This paper examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the strategic power dynamics between the United States and India, focusing on their respective technological advancements and geopolitical influence. As AI becomes a critical component in global politics, both the USA and India are investing heavily in AI research and development to enhance their military, economic, and political standing. The USA leads in AI innovation with a robust tech ecosystem, while India is emerging as a major AI player with growing capabilities and ambitious policies. Through a comparative analysis, this paper explores how AI influences the bilateral relationship between these two countries, evaluates their respective strengths in AI, and examines the broader implications for global power dynamics. The paper concludes that AI not only reshapes the strategic relationship between the USA and India but also has the potential to redefine global geopolitical shifts in the coming decades.

The research relevance is determined by the importance of a thorough study of methods, schemes and models used by artificial intelligence to mechanise creativity in modern conditions of active technological development. The study aims to analyse the main processes taking place in modern art in connection with active technologization of work processes, to identify the leading concepts regarding the possibility of creating machine art in the future, etc. The employed methods are theoretical, such as analysis, systematisation, generalisation, etc., for studying key problems and further development of creativity based on artificial intelligence. The study examines in detail the main developments of Artificial General Intelligence and Artificial Narrow Intelligence, in particular the achievements of Generative adversarial networks and Creative adversarial networks. Artificial intelligence-generated art demonstrates the remarkable capabilities of technologies. The evolving artificial intelligence in the arts introduces “digital art”. Generative Adversarial Networks are used as a foundational tool for artists who use digital methods and texture generation to create unique compositions. Furthermore, sculptors collaborate with artificial intelligence tools to convert drawings into 3D models or transform historical art databases into sculptures. Creative thinking, a hallmark of human intelligence, is determined as artificial intelligence’s ability to generate new and original ideas. The development of emotional intelligence in artificial intelligence enables empathetic responses and the identification of human emotions through voice and facial expressions. The issues of authorised internationality, awareness of the creative process, psychological foundations of artificial empathy and emotional intelligence define the prospects for the development of neuroscience. Challenges persist in defining creativity, authorship, and legal aspects of artificial intelligence-generated art. The study materials may be useful for artists, art educators, technologists, and researchers interested in the intersection of technology and art, legal professionals (especially intellectual property law), and individuals involved in artificial intelligence development may find these findings valuable

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into health care offers the potential to address critical challenges related to access to care, workforce burnout, and health inequities. Despite its promise, AI adoption remains limited due to safety, efficacy, and equity concerns. This paper presents a novel and comprehensive framework for responsible AI development, evaluation, and deployment in health care, encompassing four key phases: (1) AI Solution Design and Development, (2) AI Solution Qualification, (3) AI Solution Efficacy and Safety Evaluation, and (4) AI Solution Impact. By establishing rigorous standards for operational, clinical, and technical quality, the framework aims to guide AI developers and health care professionals toward creating AI solutions that are ethical, effective, and scalable. This structured approach fosters collaboration and mitigates risks to help AI achieve its full potential in improving patient outcomes and health care efficiency.

In recent years, due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, its application has been widely used in many aspects of financial area, as well as significantly impacts financial market, institutions and regulation. The artificial intelligence technology brings enormous change to the entire financial industry, which creates a series of innovative financial services such as intelligent consultant, intelligent lending, monitoring and warning, and intelligent customer service as times required. In this paper, it aims to summarize the development and application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in financial system, as well as its impacts on macroeconomics and microeconomics. In the meantime, it is realised that a series of problems and risks were conducted by artificial intelligence during its use. Lastly, some suggestions and strategies are provided for reasonable usage of artificial intelligence in financial risk management, based on the financial risk management raised by artificial intelligence.

This paper explains the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) development towards achieving the level of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and analyzes the need for its social control. With the acceleration and intensification of AI growth and development, especially with the ongoing AI race, the transition from narrow AI to AGI becomes certain. The achievement of generative AI, which climaxes with chatbots (such as ChatGPT and others), transforms AI into a machine capable of creation. Although this AI application still appears relatively limited by algorithms, its learning ability is remarkable, and continuous advancements and the launch of increasingly sophisticated versions bring it ever closer to the AGI model. Each day brings us closer to that moment, which will signify AI’s transition from narrow AI to AGI. Unlike narrow AI, AGI deeply delves into the realm of ethics, and interpersonal and social relationships. Regulating AI-related policy and legally controlling AI represents one of the most serious and complex issues. In recent years, the community, led by corporate executives developing AI, prominent experts, researchers, scientists, writers, and other stakeholders, has made significant steps towards raising public awareness of the risks posed by advanced AI and making decisions, initiatives, and measures for monitoring, analyzing, and socially controlling the use of AI.

Introduction: This research article describes anticipated directions of future artificial intelligence (AI) research and development and potential concerns and barriers associated with development as it relates to individuals with disabilities, particularly individuals who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision). Methodology: A Delphi method was used to identify experts’ opinions and predictions around future AI developments focused around individuals who are blind or visually impaired. A combination of semistructured interviews and web-based surveys were utilized to identify consensus statements regarding the future of AI. Results: In the first round of semistructured interviews, 32 AI experts participated and shared their views on the future of AI and how it will affect individuals with disabilities. From the interviews, 72 common themes and insights were identified. Through 2 web-based surveys, the 72 common themes were narrowed down to 32 statements that reached consensus amongst the expert participants. The statement with the strongest support by the experts was: “A human in the loop is necessary for candidate screening”; which had a rating of 6.76 and a standard deviation of 0.44. The statement with the weakest support was: “AI-driven prenatal screening tools will create actions of eugenics”; which had a rating of 4.69 and a standard deviation of 0.95. Discussion: Experts discussed the careful balance between pushing AI development to support individuals’ lives and the potential harms of development without careful consideration. These findings point to a need for caution in the implementation of AI technologies and tools without proper dedication to fair representation and involvement of individuals with disabilities. Implications for Practitioners: Practitioners should acknowledge and explore the potential benefits that AI can provide for individuals with disabilities but also be aware of the bias and discrimination that is inherent in these tools.

With the continuous development and innovation of artificial intelligence (AI), the traditional labor market has been significantly affected. This paper, from an economic perspective, explores how AI influences different types of occupations and reshapes the overall structure of the labor market. The study first reviews the current progress of AI technologies and their initial impacts on employment, including the emergence of new jobs and the decline of traditional ones. It then examines two key structural changes: the redistribution of employment across industries and the growing polarization of job types, which has led to increased income inequality. Further, the paper applies core economic theoriessuch as capital-labor substitution, comparative advantage, and supply-demand dynamicsto analyze the underlying causes of these changes. Research findings show that AI accelerates the replacement of medium-skill jobs, increases demand for high-skill positions, and leaves low-skill workers vulnerable to stagnating wages. Based on these conclusions, the paper proposes practical strategies for governments, companies, and individuals to adapt to AI-driven transformation. This research is significant because it provides a systematic understanding of AIs long-term impact on labor and offers targeted solutions to promote a more inclusive and sustainable labor market in the digital age.

Artificial Intelligence in Paediatric Cancer: Insights from Innovation Experts in the UNICA4EU Project

The present study investigates the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future trajectory of human civilization. It focuses on topics such as super-exponential growth, the potential emergence of a galactic civilization, and the associated "doom" hazards. A significant advancement in machine intelligence with human-like consciousness, strong artificial intelligence (AI), also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), creates new opportunities and capacities. There's growing anxiety about the risk that weak AI will eventually become strong AI. Every year, new transformer models that are more like human interactions are being created, and we have already witnessed some indications of AGI. It is anticipated that AI will reach a "singularity" and advance on its own without assistance from humans. This thesis explores the theoretical and practical foundations, model building blocks, development processes, challenges, and ethical issues surrounding the creation of Consciousness AI (AGI). This paper examines the meaning of the term "technological singularity," the various types of singularities that have no point of return idea, the philosophical risks associated with the development of AI, and the implications of AI singularity for monetary theory and the new economic order. As a new perspective on the deployment of ethical AI in the face of tremendous technological advancements, the study not only contributes to the theoretical discourse but also explores the possible practical implications of AI on our shared future. Several obstacles to AI advancement are covered in the paper, along with prospective directions for future research.