Researchers are looking into the versatility of artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent future pandemics. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg investigated the role of machine learning in hunting for effective testing methods during outbreaks and therefore, limiting these sudden infection rates.
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"This can be a first step towards society gaining better control of future major outbreaks and reduce the need to shutdown society," says Laura Natali, a doctoral student in physics at the University of Gothenburg and the lead author of the published study.
The study involved developing a method to improve testing via prediction techniques.
"In the study, the outbreak can quickly be brought under control when the method is used, while random testing leads to uncontrolled spread of the outbreak with many more infected individuals. Under real world conditions, information can be added, such as demographic data, age and health-related conditions, which can improve the method's effectiveness even more. The same method can also be used to prevent reinfections in the population if immunity after the disease is only temporary."
Source: Science Daily