The COVID-19 crisis may be behind us, but the urgency to prepare for future pandemics remains at the forefront of public health discussions. Researchers at the University of Oxford have led groundbreaking work showing how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize pandemic preparedness and response strategies, ensuring we are ready for any infectious disease outbreak.
Published recently in the journal Nature, this research marks the first of its kind to comprehensively explore the implementation of AI methodologies aimed at infectious disease research and outbreak response. “AI has the potential to transform pandemic preparedness,” stated Moritz Kraemer, co-lead author from the University of Oxford's Pandemic Sciences Institute. This paradigm shift focuses on analyzing vast amounts of climate and socio-economic data to predict where outbreaks may occur, their trajectories, and how they could impact individual patients based on interactions between immune systems and pathogens.
Kraemer indicates, “If integrated effectively, these advances can save lives and prepare the world for future pandemic threats.” The study calls for rigorous evaluation criteria for AI models alongside strong collaboration among governments, societies, industries, and academic institutions to create sustainable health solutions.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Air Force (DAF) is taking strides to modernize its IT support systems with the launch of the Enterprise Service Desk (ESD). This AI-powered system allows for enhanced IT support, catering to personnel across the U.S. Air and Space Forces. Venice Goodwine, DAF’s chief information officer, stated, “Through enhanced availability, IT issue resolution is significantly faster, which helps with overall efficiency for users.”
The ESD not only facilitates quicker problem resolution but also allows military personnel to manage their time efficiently by streamlining processes such as scheduling appointments with human technicians. Following its development since 2018, as of January 2025, 82% of DAF has adopted the ESD, with plans for complete rollout by the end of the year.
On another front, the Mater hospital in Dublin is embracing AI to address long-standing issues within Ireland’s healthcare system. Currently, the hospital employs AI technology across its radiology department to improve diagnostic speeds and accuracy. Professor Peter McMahon, who spearheads these efforts, remarked, “We use AI to immediately analyze all head scans for bleeds, all chest scans for blood clots, and all bone X-rays for fractures.” He pointed out how this innovative approach acts as support, especially for junior doctors working during late hours when they may lack immediate access to experienced consultants.
Notably, rural hospitals such as Letterkenny University Hospital face different challenges, requiring transportation to urban centers for necessary diagnostic imaging. McMahon and his colleagues have piloted AI to create synthetic MRIs from CT scans, significantly aiding triage processes for patients with suspected spinal injuries. This development is promising, offering quicker access to potentially life-saving diagnostics.
Despite these advances, significant hurdles remain. Healthcare regulators are grappling with the swift pace of AI technological integration. Dr Aidan Boran of Digital Gait Labs emphasizes the struggle to align regulatory frameworks with the realities of AI, stating, “For us, manufacturing literally means copying software.”
Further complicate matters is the persistent challenge posed by outdated IT infrastructure across many hospitals. Dr Robert Ross from Technological University Dublin notes, “Doing anything else like integrating AI is not easy to do.” Such legacy systems hinder progress and prolong the adoption of more efficient technologies.
This caution extends to concerns about AI systems potentially producing erroneous outputs—a phenomenon known as hallucination. McMahon observes the necessity of training AI systems to minimize the chances of inaccuracies. “We need to penalize it if it gives you something non-existent,” he cautioned, highlighting the potential risks involved when integrating AI solutions without adequate oversight.
Amidst these complex issues, the perception of AI’s reliability also poses philosophical questions for healthcare professionals. Dr. Seán Kennelly states, “For whatever reason, we’re far more open to accept human error than new health technology.” He believes this bias against AI could hinder innovation and the willingness to adopt beneficial technologies.
Concluding, as the healthcare sector endeavors to modernize through AI technologies, the path forward is not without challenges. Yet, as evidenced by the efforts of pioneers like Prof. McMahon and institutions like the University of Oxford, the transformative potential of AI to improve pandemic responses and empower healthcare providers is undeniable. The continuous evolution of AI applications may very well define the future of healthcare for generations to come.