Artificial Intelligence VS. COVID-19: Is it saving the world?

March 19, 2020 Ahmed Sabry Uncategorized  

“ Everything we love about civilization is a product of intelligence, so amplifying our human intelligence with artificial intelligence has the potential of helping civilization flourish like never before – as long as we manage to keep the technology beneficial. “

This is what Max Tegmark; co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, has declared about AI, mentioning how we’re continuously progressing and developing through artificial intelligence. It’s all about the simulation of human intelligence in a machine that can execute tasks from daily life routine to the most complex ones achieving a specific goal.

Over the past years, there has been continuous tests and experiments to analyze the power of AI. In 2014, concerns have been raised by Elon Musk regarding AI fearing that it can be “more dangerous than nukes” and in 2018, as recorded by the Recode Interview “we ought to have a government committee that starts off with insight, gaining insight. Spends a year or two gaining insight about AI or other technologies that are maybe dangerous, but especially AI”.

However; whether you believe AI is a great asset for humanity, or you‘ve had second thoughts regarding the regulations automating and controlling it, now has proven to be the the time for AI to save the world.

Alibaba Group’s research and innovation institute DAMO Academy has developed a new diagnostic tool based on artificial intelligence, early February, 2020. According to the Chinese giant, its algorithm is capable of detecting infections with an accuracy rate of up to 96%, all in about 20 seconds. The algorithm has been trained with data and CT scans for more than 5000 confirmed [COVID-19] corona virus cases. The system has been used in over 26 hospitals in China and has effectively helped in the diagnosis of more than 30,000 cases.

It has been declared by Alibaba Group that US$ 15 Billion will be invested in DAMO Academy Research and Development to attract world-class talent, build partnerships and open research labs in 7 cities around the world, over the next couple of years.

Meanwhile, robots have been deployed around the world to fight the [COVID-19] corona virus, sanitizing hospitals, delivering food and medication to patients while taking their temperatures. Drones have also been deployed to spray disinfectants and do thermal imaging.

Photo Credit: UVD Robots

A robot has been designed at China’s Tsinghua University that can actually help in the protection of medical workers from getting infected by COVID-19. It basically conducts temperature checks, collects mouth swabs, performs ultrasounds and even deliver medicine to patients.


According to CNN Health, the first person diagnosed in the United States was thus treated by a few healthcare professionals, but also by a robot. The robot has been equipped with a stethoscope that takes the vital signs of the patient and communicates with him on a large screen.

Artificial Intelligence is set to become a giant firewall against infectious diseases and pandemics. Not only does it assist in screening and diagnostic techniques, but it is also essential in identifying potential vaccines and treatments. “High tech in general has gotten something of a bad rap, but something like this crisis shows how AI can potentially do a world of good,” says Oren Etzioni, CEO of AI2

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The Digital World Against COVID-19

March 15, 2020 Ahmed Sabry Uncategorized  

COVID-19 has been declared by the World Health Organization as a pandemic virus on the 11th of March, 2020, which is obviously a threatening fact to our lives; work, education and even our basic daily communication.

Yet, have you considered looking at the bright side? Business leaders won’t let us collapse. They are here to support, empower and to stand hand in hand against this outbreak.

Google response to the situation was phenomenal, to help the people continue essential work and deliver the needed services for educators and IT administrators preparing for potential school closures. It is offering different ways to help the students engage through distance learning, as well as providing online training sessions and resources to ease the producers.

Moreover, Microsoft has stated that their commitment to their customers during COVID-19 is non stoppable, their solution for COVID-19 is a free Teams subscription for six months. Lori Wright, General Manager of Microsoft 365 Teamwork said; “We don’t necessarily think you should be an Office 365 subscriber to experience the power of the Teams solution.” Working from home in such a situation can be really challenging, but they are willing to provide the tools, the tips and all the information to alleviate the pressure we are facing through this difficult time.

Facebook has stated that health care is their number one concern during the COVID-19 outbreak, by launching a new Business Resource Hub which aims to provide support for all businesses affected – directly or indirectly – by this situation, with tips, links and resources to help people cope. Zuckerberg said. “We’re giving the WHO as many free ads as they need for their coronavirus response along with other in-kind support. We’ll also give support and millions more in ad credits to other organizations too, and we’ll be working closely with global health experts to provide additional help if needed.”

Continuing to help the community survive, Instagram has linked the hashtag #COVID19 and #coronavirus to The World Health Organization website to provide the most recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) updates and methods of virus prevention to the users.

The growth of online apps that serve business needs has elevated significantly during this outbreak as well, for example The Medical ID has been there since 2014 but COVID-19 has boosted its purchase on Google Play store, as the app allows creating medical profiles that are accessible from your lock screen in case of emergency.

THE TIME IS NOW!

It’s time to see things differently. It’s not only about a virus that is eating us alive; it’s how you manage the crisis, how you make it inevitable and how you contribute to the society and humanity. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living. All that matters is helping the world stay alive. Take action! Contribute.

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