Scientists are warning about the inevitability of “Disease X”, a future global pandemic that some experts predict has a 25% chance of occurring within the next decade. This new outbreak could be flu or coronavirus, or something entirely different. Given the scale of COVID-19, which infected and killed millions globally, the thought of another pandemic is alarming. However, could artificial intelligence play a role in mitigating its impact?
AI-Power Pandemic Prediction: A Glimpse into The Future
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) are working on an AI-based early warning system. Part of U.S. National Science Foundation’s Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention grants program, this project aims to identify and track potential pandemics. By analyzing social media data, particularly billions of tweets from the platform X (formally known as Twitter), they hope to detect early signs of pandemic and predict the outcomes of public health measures.
According to Prof. Chen Li of UCI’s Department of Computer Science, the system categorizes significant events from social media streams that might signal an impending outbreak. While primarily focused on the US, efforts are underway to address data limitations from other regions.
AI Predicting Virus Variants: The Power of EVEScape
Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford have developed an AI tool called EVEScape, which forecast new variants of coronavirus. This tool updates its prediction every two weeks and has also been accurate in predicting mutations in other viruses like HIV and influenza. EVEScape offers insight for vaccine manufacturers and those working to identify therapeutics, helping prepare for potential mutation far in advance.
Accelerating Antibody Discovery With AI
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is using AI to expedite the identification of new antibodies key proteins that aid the immune system in fighting infection. Jim Wetherall, AstraZeneca’s VP of Data Science and AI R&D, says the company’s AI model can narrow down antibody candidates in just three days, compared to the traditional three months. This acceleration is crucial in responding to rapidly mutating viruses, such as during a pandemic.
AI In Global Pandemic Preparedness
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) based in Oslo, views AI as a critical tool in preparing for future epidemics. Dr. In-Kyu Yoon, CEPI’s director of programs and innovative technology, emphasis that AI can streamline pandemic preparation processes, though it still relies heavily on the quality and accuracy of the data it analyzes.
The Role of AI In Public Health and Ethics
At the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Philip AbdelMalik, head of intelligence, innovations and integration, sees AI as a valuable asset in early threat detection. AI can monitor online discussion for signs of emerging health issues or misinformation about treatments. However, Dr. AbdelMalik stresses that humans must still make critical decisions and warns again the ethical challenges posed by AI, such as data biases and misinformation.
Building Trust for Future Pandemic Response
While AI has advanced our ability to handle future pandemics, experts like Dr. AbdelMalik and Nikki Thadani question that technology alone is not enough. Trust, transparency and collaboration among nations and health organizations are equally vital. As Dr. AbdelMalik notes, “Technology is not our limiting factor. The real challenge lies in building trust and improving information sharing.”
In conclusion, AI offers powerful tools to help us better prepare for future pandemics, but its success will depend on quality of data and human relationships that underpin global health responses. While, we are prepared better now than before COVID-19, there is still work to be done to ensure a coordinated and effective response when the next pandemic hits.
By
Dr. Abid Hussain Nawaz, Ph.D. & Post Doc
Rumana Gull, Scholar Master of Philosophy Biological Sciences
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