Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Public Health Resilience: A Comparative Analysis of Digital Health Innovation Systems in Canada and South Korea

Abstract

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), digital health technologies, and public health governance has transformed contemporary healthcare systems. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed structural weaknesses in health infrastructures while simultaneously accelerating investments in data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, telemedicine, and intelligent health systems. Despite significant technological advances, substantial variation remains in the effectiveness of digital health implementation across countries. This study examines how scientific capacity, innovation governance, and institutional coordination influence public health resilience through a comparative analysis of Canada and South Korea. Using a comparative socio-technical systems framework, the research synthesizes evidence from OECD, WHO, World Bank, and national digital health policy reports alongside contemporary scholarly literature. The findings indicate that AI-enabled health resilience depends not solely on technological sophistication but on the interaction between scientific ecosystems, governance arrangements, data infrastructures, and institutional trust. South Korea demonstrates strengths in rapid digital integration, epidemiological surveillance, and technology deployment, while Canada exhibits advantages in health equity frameworks, regulatory oversight, and patient-centered governance. The study proposes a conceptual model linking scientific capacity, digital health integration, institutional coordination, and adaptive resilience. The article contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship by integrating public health systems, innovation governance, artificial intelligence, and sustainability-oriented resilience frameworks. Policy implications emphasize the necessity of balancing technological innovation with ethical governance, public trust, and long-term health system sustainability.