New AI tool could end era of tackling pandemics in the dark

Platform being developed to detect and respond to emerging disease threats earlier

- Joyce Teo Senior Health Correspondent

Speaking at the preview of the PathGen platform on Dec 1, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said there is a one-in-three chance of another pandemic like Covid-19 occurring in the next two decades, and Singapore must continue to prepare for the next pandemic and be able to anticipate and work on problems before they explode. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

An artificial intelligence-powered outbreak intelligence tool that promises to boost Asia’s ability to detect and respond to emerging threats was unveiled to the public on Dec 1.

By integrating and analysing pathogen genetic data and other data sources such as clinical information, mobility patterns of humans and animals, and climate data, the platform could detect emerging disease threats earlier than traditional surveillance methods.

Known as PathGen, it is being developed by the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, with support from Temasek Foundation, the Gates Foundation and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance.