Using AI and smart technologies to help manage COVID-19

Home Using AI and smart technologies to help manage COVID-19

“The solutions can be simple from an engineering perspective. And you can have a huge impact on people’s wellness.”

Rafik Goubran, Carleton’s vice-president (Research and International) and a Systems and Computer Engineering professor

Using AI and smart technologies to help manage COVID-19

Through the use of social media analysis and smart technologies for seniors, Carleton University researchers are developing tools to help people identify and manage COVID-19.

Professor Mohamed Ibnkahla and his team are using sentiment analysis to monitor social media in Ottawa. This technique uses an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to analyze the text of social posts, and identify people’s concerns and the sources of their anxiety.

Sentiment analysis can help us understand COVID-19’s impact. It can predict where and when shortages of food or medicine are likely to occur — and identify false rumours that are gaining traction on social media, so that public health officials can address them directly.

Another project gaining momentum is helping seniors and health-care professionals by using “sensors and analytics for monitoring, mobility and memory. The AGE-WELL NCE program is led by Rafik Goubran, Carleton’s vice-president (Research and International) and a Systems and Computer Engineering professor.”

The system can monitor daily living activities and vital signs such as body temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure and weight. Some systems can even monitor coughing.

To learn more, visit Carleton University.