New research by the VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussels) proofs that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can successfully support policymakers against epidemics such as COVID-19. AI can potentially combine epidemiologic models with complex decision-making models that are capable to take into account factors such as human behavior. However, predicting this human behavior is incredibly difficult (Subrahmanian and Kumar, 2017). Therefore, the question arises: How can AI combine epidemiologic models with complex decision-making models to assist policymakers?
Reinforcement learning
Reinforcement learning is an AI technique that became famous after the world champion of the GO-game was defeated by the AlphaGo-program from Google Deepmind in 2017. Pieter Libin examines the epidemiological applications of this AI technique in his research (press.vub.ac.be, 2020). Reinforcement learning is particularly suitable to track complicated interactions. It includes cultural, behavioral, and societal factors to successfully determine prevention strategies to reach specified objectives in an epidemic.
The battle against pandemics with AI efficiency
AI allows proposing a targeted approach to actively combat an epidemic such as COVID-19 (press.vub.ac.be, 2020). The models can learn an optimal strategy that can for example consist of the mandatory wearing of mouth masks, and the vaccination of specific target audiences (given that there is a vaccination) (www.bruzz.be, 2020). Besides reinforcement learning, there are other machine learning (ML) techniques that can be useful against the battle of epidemics. ML techniques in combination with epidemiological and statistical models can predict how fast an epidemic can spread. Therefore, intensive care units can be determined that are extremely vital in hospitals. This way medical institutions are more prepared to make the necessary adaptions in their infrastructure in the eye of an epidemiologic storm. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence can assist in developing new medicines. Specifically, pattern recognizing techniques can make active connections out of bio-Informatica databases to contribute to the design of a new medicine against the virus.
Current AI initiatives against COVID-19
The VUB has already come up with AI initiatives on both the university and international level. Together with the medical experts of the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), the VUB set up two different AI-driven projects. On the one hand, an analysis was made about how AI can contribute to more accurate long scans. On the other hand, there is the development of an AI application that doctors in intensive care can use to assist them in their decision making (press.vub.ac.be, 2020).
To conclude, AI techniques such as reinforcement learning and ML techniques in combination with epidemiological and statistical models can propose a targeted approach to combat epidemics. This gives policymakers grounded evidence to construct better policies against epidemics.
This topic is clearly of high interest to me. However, I was wondering what do you think about the ethical implications of the use of AI in the battle against COVID-19? Do you know other AI initiatives against pandemics such as COVID-19?
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[References]
press.vub.ac.be. (2020). VUB zet AI in tegen COVID-19. [online] Available at: https://press.vub.ac.be/vub-zet-ai-in-tegen-covid-19 [Accessed 7 Oct. 2020].
Subrahmanian, V.S. and Kumar, S. (2017). Predicting human behavior: The next frontiers. Science, 355(6324), pp.489–489.
www.bruzz.be. (2020). VUB onderzoekt het gebruik van AI om epidemieën in te dijken. [online] Available at: https://www.bruzz.be/wetenschap/vub-onderzoekt-het-gebruik-van-ai-om-epidemieen-te-dijken-2020-05-29 [Accessed 7 Oct. 2020].
