AI used in COVID-19 Part 1

One development that has used AI to help the pandemic is the Kinsa thermometer. The Kinsa is an internet-connected smart thermometer that is paired to a mobile app, which collects consumers’ temperature and symptoms data. All of this data that is collected allows Kinsa to track where in the U.S. COVID spreads begin. From this, the health industry can be better prepared to mobilize the right resources in the right places at the right times.

In order for a person to use the Kinsa, they would first open the corresponding app. Then, they could press the “Take Temperature” button and choose the reading method. After, the user would plug the Kinsa Smart Thermometer into the phone and use the thermometer to take their temperature, which would then be displayed on the phone. The user could also input any symptoms they are experiencing.

From all of the data gathered from its smart thermometer, Kinsa could help to predict future COVID-19 outbreaks. By relying on the data it has collected for years, the Kinsa can determine what the U.S. can expect from a normal cold and flu season, which is the “norm”. The model takes what is currently being seen and subtracts the “norm.” What they’re left with is an abnormality, which can be correlated to coronavirus, so while the Kinsa does not outright tell the user they have COVID, it does tell them to get tested if they are experiencing common COVID symptoms. Kinsa also has an interactive map on their company website, which gives a real-time health snapshot of illness levels by geographic location.

Kinsa is just one of many AI tools being used to help the struggles of people everywhere and tools like it are viewed as critical to end the pandemic.