ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR PANDEMIC AND EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS (AI4PEP)

AI4PEP (Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness) is an initiative focused on improving public health responses through artificial intelligence. AI4PEP aims to enhance preparedness and resilience against infectious disease outbreaks, mainly in the Global South region. Focused on Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East & North Africa, AI4PEP aims to address region-specific public health challenges by leveraging responsible AI solutions to enhance disease outbreak preparedness. The project was created in response to the challenges highlighted by recent global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed weaknesses in health systems and the need for timely data. By focusing on AI-driven solutions, AI4PEP seeks to provide scalable tools that can be adapted across different regions.

AI4PEP’s primary goal is to strengthen equitable and responsive public health systems by leveraging responsible AI solutions led by the Global South. The initiative focuses on deepening the understanding of how AI can be effectively used to strengthen public health strategies against emerging and re-emerging diseases. Additionally, it seeks to establish a multi-regional network across the Global South to address existing gaps in knowledge, capacities, and solutions. AI4PEP also aims to inform and influence policies at the national, regional, and global levels to advance health equity and fortify public health systems through the use of AI technologies

AI4PEP encompasses four key research themes: early detection, early warning systems, early response, and the mitigation and control of infectious disease outbreaks using AI. These efforts aim to create practical solutions that can be implemented in low-resource settings to improve health outcomes. It emphasizes equitable data practices and health system resilience while promoting inclusive approaches for vulnerable groups, integrating AI to enhance public health decision-making.

This project aims to develop AI modeling to predict the spread of infectious diseases by integrating health system data with environmental data. The project involves evaluating the implementation and application of EWARS, improving national capacity for developing and deploying AI solutions for pandemic preparedness, and improving regulations and policies for AI-based decision-making tools. Additionally, AI4PEP focuses on enhancing the capacity and functionality of existing EWARS by prioritizing inclusivity and representativeness of the current EWARS.