Artificial Intelligence and Tuberculosis

The India Research Center and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, in collaboration with the Public Health Department of the Government of Maharashtra (GOM), have developed a joint proposal to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in controlling and treating Tuberculosis (TB) in Maharashtra. The project, led by Dr. Milind Tambe, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, aims to study data on Active Case Finding of TB cases, Latent TB, medication adherence through the 99DOTS projects, TB Hotspots, and drug usage patterns. The goal is to develop intelligent predictive models to support the GOM’s efforts in combating TB.

To address challenges encountered by the GOM during the delivery of TB interventions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the team initiated a pilot study on Intelligent Intervention Scheduling. This study aims to evaluate methods for scheduling phone-call-based interventions to improve medication adherence among TB patients.

In addition to these efforts, the India Research Center, in collaboration with the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence, organized a workshop focused on the role of AI in preventing TB. The workshop was led by Dr. Milind Tambe and featured a keynote address by Dr. Savita Shardul, State Surveillance and Monitoring Medical Officer at the State TB Office in Pune. The event aimed to facilitate partnerships between the Government of Maharashtra and non-profit research organizations to effectively address tuberculosis through AI. Participants included representatives from Microsoft Research India, Everwell, and Wadhwani AI.