The world wasn’t prepared for COVID-19: In future, AI will curb the next pandemic – Economic Times

By Krishna KumarWhen it comes to infectious diseases, prevention, surveillance and rapid-response efforts can go a long way toward slowing or stalling outbreaks. When a pandemic such as the recent coronavirus outbreak happens, it can create huge challenges for the government and public health officials to gather information quickly and coordinate a response.

In such a situation, artificial intelligence (AI) can play a huge role in predicting an outbreak and also minimising or stalling its spread.

Detecting an epidemicAI algorithms can help mine through news reports and online content from around the world, helping experts recognise anomalies even before it reaches epidemic proportions. The corona outbreak itself is a great example where researchers applied AI to study flight traveller data to predict where the novel coronavirus could pop up next. A National Geographic report demonstrates how monitoring the internet or social media can help detect the early stages of a potential outbreak.

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Building intelligence and knowledgeAI and big data analytics have a big role to play in modern genome sequencing methods. High-resolution computer-generated simulation allows scientists to study and interpret large disease-related data sets to learn more about how they spread. A greater understanding of these phenomena can empower the community to respond far more rapidly to attacks.

Augmenting medical careRecently, weve all seen poignant images of healthcare professionals across the globe working tirelessly to treat COVID-19 patients, often putting their own lives at risk. AI could play a crucial role in lightening their load while ensuring that the quality of care does not suffer. For instance, the Tampa General Hospital in Florida is using AI to detect fever in visitors with a simple facial scan. AI is also helping doctors at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel to predict complications such as respiratory failure or sepsis in COVID-19 patients.

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As AI quickly becomes mainstream, healthcare is certainly an area where it will play a big role in keeping us safer and healthier.

(The author is CEO and Founder of Simplilearn, a global ed-tech company which provides skilling programs for tech professionals)

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The world wasn't prepared for COVID-19: In future, AI will curb the next pandemic - Economic Times