Malaria: artificial intelligence, a tool that sparks curiosity
Malaria: artificial intelligence, a tool that sparks curiosity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a promising and innovative tool in the fight against malaria. Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 95% of global malaria deaths, stands to benefit significantly from the application of this technology in efforts to eradicate the disease.
Over the past five years, major advancements have been made in AI-driven malaria research, and future prospects remain highly promising.
Recent advances
Rapid and accurate diagnosis
Tools such as Malaria Locator (developed in Senegal by Rokhaya Diagne) analyze blood samples to detect malaria parasites using microscopes connected to computer systems supported by deep learning technologies.
Vector surveillance and control
mosquitodashboard.org, developed by researchers at the University of South Florida (USA), is a platform that leverages AI to monitor and identify malaria-transmitting mosquitoes through user-submitted photographs.
AI enables the system to analyze images with speed and precision, thereby enhancing mosquito detection and malaria prevention efforts.
The BG-Eye, an intelligent trap funded by the European Union, utilizes AI to identify disease-carrying mosquitoes. It can be integrated with commercially available mosquito traps equipped with fans, thereby facilitating its use in field settings — a notable improvement over similar technologies that are limited to laboratory environments.
Pharmaceutical research
At North-West University (South Africa), AI has enabled the analysis of thousands of chemical compounds within a few months, leading to the identification of several promising candidates against drug-resistant malaria strains.
One compound, FTN-T5, demonstrates a strong potential to eliminate the malaria parasite while remaining safe for human cells.
Future prospects
Precision Medicine
Precision medicine — which aims to ensure that each patient receives the right treatment at the right time — could be increasingly applied to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases such as malaria. AI could notably enhance the rapid detection of drug resistance using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.
Epidemiological Digital Twins
A project led by the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is utilizing AI to develop epidemiological digital twins capable of predicting malaria outbreaks in real-time.
By integrating atmospheric, epidemiological, and geographical data, these virtual replicas simulate disease transmission dynamics, thereby optimizing interventions and informing more effective control strategies.
Ongoing challenges
While AI presents undeniable potential in the fight against malaria across Africa, its deployment remains hindered by several challenges, including limited technical expertise, inadequate infrastructure, and high operational costs.
Furthermore, ethical concerns — such as data privacy, the use of data without informed consent, and the absence of robust regulatory frameworks — pose significant obstacles to its integration into African health systems.
The role of health professionals
Continuous training:
Participate in workshops and training programs focused on the application of AI.
Increase familiarity with existing tools such as mosquitodashboard.org.
Collaboration:
Contribute to local data initiatives to enhance algorithm accuracy.
Engage in or establish networks to co-design locally appropriate solutions.
Advocacy:
Advocate for the development of ethical frameworks governing the use of health data.
Support the inclusion of AI in national malaria control strategies.
Community Engagement:
Educate patients and community members about AI through tailored and accessible communication tools.
Artificial Intelligence represents a pivotal opportunity to bridge existing gaps in health systems and malaria research.
Health professionals have a crucial role to play: adopting these tools, contributing to their adaptation to local contexts, and ensuring that innovation primarily serves vulnerable populations.
What are your thoughts ?
This newsletter post is written by Dr. Anifa Kalay, founder of KALKIS Health Solutions/Solutions en Santé KALKIS, a social enterprise based in Ottawa.
Its mission is to contribute to addressing health inequalities in Canada and around the world by providing educational resources for healthcare professionals and researchers , as well as consulting services in health project development and management for organizations and individuals.