making headlines | Investigating the corona-virus pandemic with AI

The best global stories.
November 1, 2020


image | above

Pictured is an artist’s realistic illustration of the shape of corona-virus.


The top stories.

Here’s a collection of key stories on the web + in broadcast media — on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) software being used in several ways to take-on the global corona-virus pandemic.

The ways AI is being applied:

  • using computer modeling to discover pharmaceutical Rx drugs for treatments + vaccine
  • analyzing medical lung scans for signs of pneumonia
  • mining big data to see trends in the pandemic’s spread from person-to-person
  • tracking mobile devices to trace people spreading the virus
  • detecting fevers using thermal body scans of people in public places, indicating possible infection

1. |

publication: the New York Times
tag line: All the news that’s fit to print.
web: home • channel

story title: AI versus the corona-virus
read | story

— summary —

A new consortium of top scientists will be able to use some of the world’s most advanced super-computers to look for solutions.

presented by

group: the New York Times Company
tag line: We seek the truth + help people understand the world.
web: home • channel


2. |

publication: Vox
tag line: Vox explains the news.
web: home  channel

blog: re-Code
tag line: Uncovering and explaining how our digital world is changing — and changing us.
story title: Don’t expect AI to solve the corona-virus crisis on its own
read | story

— summary —

How AI is helping find a cure. How optimistic should we be about the impact of artificial intelligence in a pandemic? The re-Code blog is uncovering + explaining how our digital world is changing — and changing us.

presented by

group: Vox Media
tag line: Dedicated to getting the future right.
web: home • channel


3. |

group: by Vox Media
tag line: Dedicated to getting the future right.

publication: Vox
tag line: Vox explains the news.

blog: re-Code
tag line: Uncovering and explaining how our digital world is changing — and changing us.
story title: Scientists are identifying potential treatments for corona-virus via artificial intelligence
read | story

— summary —

Researchers used AI to mine through existing medical information to find drugs that they say might be helpful for tackling the novel corona-virus. The re-Code blog is uncovering + explaining how our digital world is changing — and changing us.


4. |

group: by Vox Media
tag line: Dedicated to getting the future right.

publication: Vox
tag line: Vox explains the news.

blog: re-Code
tag line: Uncovering and explaining how our digital world is changing — and changing us.
story title: How AI is battling the corona-virus outbreak
read | story

— summary —

AI helped spot an early warning about the outbreak, and researchers have used flight traveler data to figure out where the novel corona-virus could pop up next. The re-Code blog is uncovering + explaining how our digital world is changing — and changing us.


5. |

group: by ACS
tag line: Chemistry for life.

publication: Chemical Engineering + News
tag line: The chemistry news that matters most.
story title: 2 groups use artificial intelligence to find compounds that could fight the novel corona-virus
read | story

— summary —

One group identifies an existing drug, the other finds 6 novel molecules — but the consequences of reporting possibly helpful molecules are unclear.


6. |

group: by IEEE
tag line: Advancing technology for humanity.

publication: Spectrum
tag line: Major trends + developments in tech, engineering, and science.

blog: the Human OS
tag line: A bio-medical engineering blog on: wearable sensors, big-data, implanted devices, and personalized medicine.
story title: 5 companies using AI to fight corona-virus
read | story

— summary —

Deep learning models predict old and new drugs that might successfully treat corona-virus. The Human OS blog is the bio-medical engineering blog featuring the: wearable sensors, big data analytics, and implanted devices that enable new ventures in personalized medicine.


7. |

group: by CBS + Viacom
tag line: Truly premium content, at true scale.

publication: ZD Net
tag line: Trends, tech, and opportunities that matter to IT professionals + decision makers.
story title: AI and the corona-virus fight: how artificial intelligence is taking-on
read | story

— summary —

From moderating social media to unpicking the very essence of corona-virus, AI is helping tackle the pandemic in all manner of ingenious ways.


8. |

group: by Forbes Media
tag line: World-wide magazines on business, finance, marketing, science, tech, investments, and entrepreneurship.

publication: Forbes
tag line: The defining voice of entrepreneurial capitalism.

blog: Cognitive World
tag line: A think-tank, knowledge hub, and eco-system for AI transformation.
story title: How artificial intelligence can help fight corona-virus
read | story

— summary —

Artificial intelligence and genetic applied science are making it easier, faster, and cheaper to understand — how the virus spreads, how to manage it, and how to contain its devastating effects. The Cognitive World blog is a think-tank, knowledge hub and eco-system for AI transformation.


IMAGE


— notes —

AI = artificial intelligence

C+EN = Chemical Engineering + News
ACS = American Chemical Society
CBS = Columbia Broadcasting System
IEEE = Institute of Electrical + Electronics Engineers
ZD = Ziff Davis