This is how Big Data Analytics and Autonomic Data sharing can help in curbing the reach of COVID-19 - GulfToday

This is how Big Data Analytics and Autonomic Data sharing can help in curbing the reach of COVID-19

Dr Mohamed Abdulzaher

LinkedIn

Academic and Artificial Intelligence Journalism pioneer

Coronavirus

We need to deal with the disease with new technological tools and technologies that may contribute in limiting its spread.

More than a thousand new cases a day around the world as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, plus deaths in more than 15 countries. The spread of the disease is faster than the spread of the real data and information, while false news and opinions are creating panic and fear around the world. And the world is still dealing with the information on the disease in the same way as it had done with diseases of the twentieth century like “Plague” or “Malaria” or “SARS” or “MERS”, which increased in severity and spread from one spot to another around the world.

So why don’t we deal with the disease with our new technological tools and technologies that may contribute in limiting its spread, increasing awareness among people, and delivering only the right information at the right time to everyone around the world.

How can we guarantee the analysis and sharing of Big Data daily, and what is the role of governments in spreading correct information using open data platforms that allow free flow of information on serious diseases, also relying on the Automation of News.

Many experiments were conducted during the last month at several companies specialised in Data analytics, and in Artificial Intelligence technologies, which all focused on searching the fastest automated ways to find a cure, or methods of prevention of the new #Coronavirus (#COVID-19), or any other incurable diseases.

Sharing data on rare diseases globally could provide help in diagnosis, management and treatment, clinical trials and also personal well-being.  Rare diseases are not as rare as you may think. Approximately 10% of the global population or 475 million people are usually affected by a “rare” condition. But national approach to rare disease research falls short due to the lack of combined data and due to an uncoordinated global approach. A more integrated system of gathering genomic data offers a solution with potential channels also for a return on investment.

Artificial intelligence techniques can predict some diseases, though sometimes it may make mistakes. Recently, a fintech startup company called HedgeChatter, has built a model for estimating the total global reach of Coronavirus using AI. The new tool using publicly available data released by China, took that data and dumped it into an AI neural net using a RNN [recurrent neural network] model and ran the simulation ten million times.

In 30 days, the model says, two million could die. And in just 15 more days, the death toll skyrockets, according to James Ross, co-founder of fintech startup HedgeChatter.

All of these experiments and more can contribute in ascertaining a global plague, but it can’t take place without transparency between countries in disseminating information and sharing various data directly with international agencies and organizations.

So the importance of Open Data and Artificial Intelligence journalism tools’ can help  guarantee the  transparency of the information dissemination about the new #Coronavirus, and promote easy data sharing, prevention and treatment in any region of the world.

How can a country like China rely on analyzing Big Data after more than 2,872 deaths, as well as more than 90,000 infected people? It can aid in terms of analyzing the nature of each infected case, stages of the disease to each infected case, direct and indirect infection methods, sorts of treatment provided, its usefulness, and also incorporate common information and data - not only from China - but from all countries that are facing the spread of the virus every day. International efforts need full unification based on Artificial Intelligence technologies, Artificial Intelligence Journalism, and Big Data analytics.

Information must be available through specialized platforms on Open Big Data, updated every second throughout the day, giving information on say money market indicators besides other indicators.

All these technologies could contribute significantly in limiting the spread of the disease, and in finding a new, effective and unified global drug, in addition to guaranteeing the freedom of information and data flow in a more objective and documented manner.

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