The role of AI in future pandemics

In a world that is still processing the effects of COVID-19, the question arises: how can we better prepare for the next pandemic? Experts warn that a new global health crisis, affectionately called “Disease X,” is likely inevitable. With an estimated 25% chance of an outbreak similar to COVID-19 in the coming decade, scientists and policy makers are looking to artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential tool to combat future public health threats.

Early warning systems: the digital watchdog

A fascinating initiative comes from researchers in California. They are developing an AI-driven system that searches social media for early signs of an upcoming pandemic. This project, part of a larger research program funded by the National Science Foundation, builds on an impressive database of 2.3 billion tweets.

Professor Chen Li, the driving force behind this project, explains: “We've developed a smart system that can recognize and categorize important messages. These reports may indicate an imminent epidemic.” The goal is to support public health authorities and hospitals in detecting health risks early and evaluating policy measures.

Predicting virus variants: one step ahead of the virus

Another groundbreaking AI tool is EveScape, developed by top institutions such as Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford. This system predicts possible new variants of the coronavirus and has already proven its value with other viruses such as HIV and flu.

Nikki Thadani, involved in the development of EveScape, highlights the unique strength of their approach: “We can provide valuable insights early in a pandemic. This is crucial for vaccine manufacturers and researchers looking for effective treatments.”

AI in the pharmaceutical industry: accelerated discoveries

The pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is using AI to accelerate the antibody discovery process. Jim Wetherall, Vice President of Data Science and AI R&D at AstraZeneca, comments: “Using AI, we can reduce antibody screening from months to days. This is essential in the fight against rapidly mutating viruses.”

The human factor: indispensable in the AI comparison

Despite the enthusiasm about AI applications, experts emphasize the importance of the human factor. Dr. In-Kyu Yoon of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) states: “AI is a powerful tool, but it remains dependent on the quality of the data entered. It's up to people to decide how we can best use AI.”

Dr. Philip AbdelMalik of the World Health Organization (WHO) adds: “AI can provide valuable insights, but we must remain vigilant about ethical issues and ensure fair representation in the data we use.”

Looking ahead: better prepared, but a long way to go

While experts recognize that we are better prepared for future pandemics, thanks in part to AI developments, they emphasize that there is still a lot of work to do. Nikki Thadani notes, “We've taken major steps, but there is still much room for improvement in both fundamental biology and broader public health.”

Dr. AbdelMalik concludes with an important observation: “Technology is not our biggest challenge. Building trust and improving information sharing between countries and organizations is just as crucial in preparing for future health crises.”

In the fight against “Disease X” and other future pandemics, AI appears to be a promising weapon. But the real success will depend on how we combine this technology with human expertise, international collaboration and a strong dose of trust.