As diseases and infections, such as the novel coronavirus COVID-19, continue to greatly affect countries and world economies, scientists and global officials have longed feared that countries without strong markets would be ravaged by such disasters. However, the situation throughout Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a very different story. Scientists and officials, alike, are trying to figure out why African countries have had such a low infection rate, and the answer may surprise you.
Lower-income countries, such as many of those on the African continent, have been heavily investing their time and resources towards leveraging artificial intelligence to improve their health care systems. So much so, that many African countries may start greatly pulling ahead of richer nations. Rwanda, for example, uses an AI-powered healthcare system that is currently used by one-third of its adult population. Babyl, the AI platform they are using, is a digital consulting service with an artificially intelligent chatbot. Due to the success of the platform, the government is partnering with Babylon Health to create an AI-powered triage and symptom checker platform.
One of the primary reasons for the accelerated funding and resources allocated to AI-powered health services is because of the safety features afforded to healthcare workers and patients. Rather than risk infecting each other with a possible virus, digital options empower these populations to receive adequate healthcare while keeping any spread or rate of infection low. Other artificial intelligence services being used include diagnostic testing, predictive forecasting, and vaccine research. And beyond COVID-19, AI is being used to tackle the many mosquito-transmitted diseases that have been plaguing Africa for decades.
When it comes to artificial intelligence-powered healthcare systems, many people throughout the world have their doubts regarding the accuracy, safety, and how digital platform usage can affect the jobs of healthcare workers. It has long been touted by AI creators and professionals that robotic and computer assistance in our daily lives in the form of artificial intelligence is meant to complement how our healthcare industries currently operate. However, many healthcare professionals fear that the careers they have worked so hard for could be jeopardized by an AI-powered device or platform that boasts the avoidance of human error.
On the patient end, some enjoy the convenience afforded through digital, AI-powered healthcare platforms, while others feel it does not compare to the human experience and connection created during an in-person consultation. However, during times of a public health crisis, much like the one the world is currently experiencing, artificial intelligence can assist overworked healthcare professionals. When hospitals and healthcare facilities risk the opportunity to become overwhelmed, artificial intelligence-powered systems and platforms can act as a support system to assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in successfully treating patients.
It is important to note that there is still room for error when consulting an AI-powered healthcare platform. The ultimate question remains – what can the rest of the world learn from Africa’s aggressive and welcoming approach to artificial intelligence.
