Artificial Intelligence Plays Minor Role During Global Coronavirus Crisis
Despite high expectations, artificial intelligence is not playing a major role in combating the coronavirus pandemic. Experts note that traditional statistical and mathematical models are currently proving far more effective than modern AI technologies.
The global coronavirus pandemic presents one of the biggest health crises in decades, but artificial intelligence is not playing the major role that many tech enthusiasts originally anticipated. Renowned AI labs at major companies like DeepMind, OpenAI, and Microsoft remain relatively quiet as the virus spreads, leading experts to question the current capabilities of the technology.
Instead of relying on advanced AI fields like reinforcement learning or natural-language processing, scientists and public health officials fall back on tried-and-tested techniques to fight the outbreak. Traditional statistical methods and mathematical models drive the epidemiological models that predict how the disease spreads through populations, proving far more useful than experimental AI systems during this immediate crisis.
Despite its limited overall impact, AI still contributes to the pandemic response in a few specific, peripheral ways. DeepMind uses machine learning to detail the structures of coronavirus proteins, while other start-ups employ AI imaging to detect lung abnormalities and screen for potential drug treatments. Additionally, autonomous robots help disinfect hospitals, AI tutors assist parents with home schooling, and adapted facial recognition systems attempt to spot virus sufferers in crowds.