Robi launches AI platform to track coronavirus cases

Mobile operator Robi has launched an online platform powered by artificial intelligence that will analyse movements of potential COVID-19 carriers and evaluate risks posed to those around them in an effort to help the government contain the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The platform was unveiled by ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak during an online press conference yesterday.

Using the platform, which collects data on network users to compile a list of suspected coronavirus cases, the government will be able to easily decide which areas to put under lockdown.

So far, the Access to Information (a2i) programme under the Information Communication Division has identified 3.70 lakh users who have made various queries on the coronavirus.

Now, with the help of technology and data analytics, the government is trying to ascertain the exact number of people at risk of infection, said Anir Chowdhury, a policy advisor of a2i.

Over the past couple of weeks, numerous individuals have dialled either 333, 16263 or *3332# to get updated details on the coronavirus pandemic and how to deal with it.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) leads the analysis of such questions and whether test kits and other items should be sent out, Chowdhury said.

The national helpline centre "333" has received over four lakh calls related to coronavirus while the DGHS's "16263" service has received about 1.70 lakhs calls on the same issue.

With the support of mobile network operators, the government sent short messages to find if any user developed any symptoms. So far, seven lakh users have replied.

"We are now using different technological tools to form a suspected coronavirus patient list," he added.

Only two questions were asked by the 333 and 16263 operators while the *3332# service asked five questions. With the data collected, the government will now attempt to form a heatmap for the virus.

During the digital press conference, Dr Asif Naimur Rashid, chief information officer of Robi, explained how data analytic solutions function and how it can help the government make data-driven decisions to combat the pandemic.

The analytical solution developed by Robi's analytics team compiles data from decentralised crowd sources.

Crowdsourcing via mobile phones allows high value data acquisition. Combined with the application of data science to crowdsource the data, Robi's platform can perform robust data validation checks to ensure that the solution works with high quality datasets, Rashid said.

The government is also taking user information from three other operators -- Grameenphone, Banglalink and Teletalk – for a deeper analysis to form a proper report.

The ICT state minister also said the data complied would be highly protected so as to prevent theft or misuse.

"I assure you that we have taken steps to protect the customers' data so that it does not leak," he said in reply to a question.

Only the customer's mobile number and geographical location will be used for government purposes, Palak added.

Professor Abul Kalam Azad, director  general of the DGHS, said he was hoping for the data analytics solution to help eradicate the coronavirus threat.

"We are extremely proud to join hands with the government to combat the ongoing pandemic," said Robi's Managing Director and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed.

If everyone actively participates in this project, then Robi can help the government ramp up its efforts to ensure public health in a targeted manner based on the data modelling provided by the solution, he added.

The National Telecom Monitoring Center `will also play a vital role in a coordinated effort to combining all the data compiled on mobile network users.