Companies adapt

Many AI companies have tweaked algorithms and upgraded gadgets, systems and technologies in a variety of ways to adapt them to fight the virus.

Yitu Technology, an AI startup, has developed an intelligent imaging evaluation system, which is being used at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center to help diagnose cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia.

The system provides a more-efficient and accurate decision-making basis for clinicians and helps with infection prevention and control.

Measuring body temperature is also hugely important in curbing the spread of the virus. SenseTime, an AI pioneer specializing in computer vision and deep learning, has come up with a screening system for fever that integrates sophisticated AI algorithms with infrared thermal technology.

The system can scan up to 10 people per second without direct contact and identify individuals remotely who show symptoms of fever, as well as anyone not wearing a face mask, before notifying the personnel on duty.

Raymond Wang said, "AI helps a lot with medicine development, epidemic forecasting and control, and AI-driven robots will take more responsibility, especially in situations where no contact is expected."

Meanwhile, agricultural drones have been converted into autonomous precision-spraying tools-highly effective alternatives to large machines for accurately releasing disinfectant in public areas.

DJI, the world's largest commercial drone manufacturer by market share, has used its agricultural devices to spray disinfectant in residential areas, hospitals and waste treatment plants.

To date, the drones have sprayed disinfectant over 600 million square meters nationwide. Spraying can be completed 50 times faster than using traditional methods, and the drones can also be used remotely to measure temperatures in many communities and at roadside checkpoints.

Zhang Jiaxing, an AI expert, said people are increasingly adapting to new lifestyles.

As a result, online education, working remotely and robot deliveries backed by cutting-edge technologies, such as the internet of things, big data and cloud computing, have been given a significant boost and are expected to maintain growth momentum when the outbreak ends.