Time is of the essence in a global pandemic, and that means data is an important asset. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools, will therefore be evermore more important this year. AI and machine learning are being used to battle the effects of the pandemic in research and development, immunology, screening and diagnostics. Machine learning has enabled the rapid development of vaccines, many of which are now being distributed around the world. In terms of screening, there has been talk of thermal screening systems being used to identify individuals with high temperatures. In 2021 we can also expect to see a greater reliance on AI integrations in CT scans, for instance helping radiologists detect COVID-19 in scans of pneumonia patients. From a risk management perspective, the data sets that these systems rely on are critical. Clinical studies must be conducted to ensure that studies are sound, and accuracy rates are sufficient. And insurance policies must of course be built to cover these increasingly complex risks.