Vietnam/ Artificial intelligence in the war against pathogens

Mankind is in a constant battle against micro-organisms, whose pathogens are constantly evolving in response to environmental pressures. In the face of these threats, artificial intelligence is emerging as a valuable ally, capable of intervening at every stage of a pandemic.

On May 29, the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) hosted a scientific conference on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and megadata in the clinical practice of infectious diseases.

^Dr. Nguyên Thanh Dung, Director of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, pointed out that infectious diseases still represent a major public health challenge, particularly in countries with tropical climates like Vietnam.

Historical epidemics and recent developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants like Omicron, illustrate the complexity and unpredictability of pathogens.

According to^Dr. Dung, it is essential to seek solutions to control and curb infections. AI and megadata are no longer abstract concepts, but have become powerful tools with infinite possibilities in healthcare.

"The Hospital for Tropical Diseases and OUCRU are always striving to apply cutting-edge technologies to medical practice and scientific research. We believe that the combination of in-depth clinical experience and technological power makes it possible to reach decisive milestones in the fight against infectious diseases," he asserted.

In his speech, entitled "Medical innovation and the never-ending challenge of infectious diseases",^{Dr. Nguyên} Van Vinh Chakra, Chairman of the Board of Directors, spoke of the importance of innovation. Nguyên Van Vinh Châu - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Health Department and President of the city's Infectious Diseases Association - explained that that pathogens evolve (mutate) to adapt to multiple pressures, whether from the host immune system, antibiotics or the environment.

Humanity is thus constantly faced with the emergence or re-emergence of pathogens, or their resistance to existing antibiotics. The result is a never-ending war between man and the microbial world.

To meet this ongoing challenge,^Dr. Vinh Châu advocates a global, systemic approach to infectious diseases.

It is also essential, in his view, to conduct scientific research and analyze past epidemics in order to learn from them and better respond to future outbreaks of new agents or re-emerging strains.

Innovation is also essential to the effective implementation of this global strategy.

According to^Dr. Vinh Châu, artificial intelligence offers great prospects for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

AI can be deployed at all stages: upstream of a pandemic, at the first signs, during its spread, as well as in seasonal epidemics. It can be used to assess risks, design health policies and develop vaccines.

"Advances in modern medical innovation enable a systemic approach to infectious diseases. Solutions that target the immune system to trigger a protective response - through the research and development of next-generation drugs or vaccines - will be a fundamental response to coexisting with the microbial world," he concluded.

Relying on AI to anticipate pandemics

^Dr. Nguyên Lê Duy Tùng, Deputy Director of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, reported that between 2018 and today, the hospital has conducted 22 research projects applying AI and megadata. These include work on predicting influenza and dengue fever, as well as recognizing handwriting in medical records using machine learning.

AI and megadata have enabled the hospital to enhance its forecasting and early warning capabilities in the face of epidemic diseases.

However, the implementation of these technologies still faces many challenges. To overcome them, the hospital is stepping up its cooperation with national and international partners, including universities and technology companies.

Source: lecourrier.vn/