AI Weekly Guide – Repurposing existing medication for COVID-19 and seeking life in the solar system with AI.

With advancements all over the world, the scope of application of Artificial Intelligence is expanding. Two such applications are towards controlling the impact of COVID-19 and in space exploration for traces of life outside of Earth. 

IIIT Delhi develops AI model to repurpose existing drugs for the treatment of COVID-19

The Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology at Delhi announced that they have come up with an artificial intelligence model for drug repositioning to aid the treatment of COVID-19.

It is an exciting development as going through all the available drugs manually to check their effectiveness against coronavirus is a time consuming and tedious process. With this model, medical practitioners can speed things up in finding the drugs that have the highest probability of success against coronavirus. 

Machine Learning powers hunt for life in Solar System

A pilot AI system is in the testing stage to be used on the ExoMars mission which is slated to launch in 2022. The machine learning algorithms are being designed to help the teams decide how to test soil samples from Mars to retrieve only the most meaningful data. The AI system will be used only on Earth to analyse data gathered by ExoMars rover. 

If the system proves to be beneficial to the rovers, NASA’s mission to Titan (Saturn’s moon) scheduled for launch in 2026, could automate the scientific sleuthing process in the field. The mission will rely on Dragonfly Octocopter Drone that could fly through Titan’s dense atmosphere and drill for signs of life.

Hunting for microbial life on another world’s soil is challenging and AI could make it a lot easier.

Head to the Great Learning Academy for free courses on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. 
0