Promoting research in applying AI on development sectors

The Ethiopian Institute of Artificial Intelligence (EIAI) conducts various researches to strengthen various national interventions including health care, agriculture, education, finance and several other sectors.

A project on diabetes is one of them. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and amputation of lower limbs. Diabetes burden is strongly linked to metabolic risks and behavioral factors. Algorithms supporting predictive models for the risk of getting diabetes or its complications have been developed using artificial intelligence. It is also capable of identifying diabetes mellitus type based on the data obtained from a patient.

According to the Ministry of Health, skin diseases are among the most common illnesses in the world, ranking fourth in terms of non-fatal human sickness. In Ethiopia, scabies, papular urticaria, and atopic dermatitis are the most prevalent, with rates of 14.5%, 20.3%, and 19%, respectively. Clinical presentations of these conditions can be difficult to differentiate, and the underlying causes and treatments vary widely. Therefore, it takes a well-trained dermatologist to properly diagnose and treat each condition. To address this need, EIAI has developed a mobile application that can help differentiate these common and itchy skin conditions among children.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, many patients only seek medical attention when the cancer is already advanced. To address this issue, it is recommended that women over the age of 40 develop a regular screening habit for early detection of breast cancer. However, despite efforts to promote screening, the shortage of radiologists remains a challenge. An AI-based breast cancer detection system can help radiologists efficiently screen and prioritize cases for further evaluation using mammography images. Ultimately, such a system can improve early detection rates and potentially save lives.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Early detection and accurate classification are crucial for effective treatment and management. This project presents a comprehensive approach to heart disease detection and classification by leveraging Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals in conjunction with interpretable deep learning models.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world, claiming millions of lives each year. Early and accurate detection is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of its spread. One promising approach is using weekly supervised deep learning techniques to analyze chest X-ray images for TB detection. These advanced algorithms not only identify the presence of the disease but also provide precise localization of the affected regions within the lungs,

Stroke detection and classification from brain CT scans involve categorizing the brain’s condition into four key categories: hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, non-stroke abnormalities, and normal. Early diagnosis through CT scans enables prompt treatment, significantly improving the chances of recovery and reducing the impact of brain damage.

Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence institute is providing research-based Artificial Intelligent services and products on different sectors such as on natural language. In natural language processing, the institute is introducing the local languages with artificial intelligence technology to benefit from the technology.

The Institute developed a mobile application that enables users to self-learn Ethiopian languages, with the added capability of transcription. This app provides a user-friendly interface that allows learners to easily access a wide range of language resources.

Coop bankbot is specifically designed for the Cooperative Bank of Oromia, which serves customers in three languages – English, Amharic, and Affan Oromo. It offers a range of services, including delivering information about the bank’s services, collecting customer feedback, assisting in locating ATMs, providing exchange rate information from the bank’s database, and facilitating basic account operations such as checking account balance, requesting a check book, registering disputes over transactions, and reporting lost ATM cards and PIN information. The

oromia bankbot is an AI-enabled chatbot that has been specifically designed and deployed for the Bank of Oromia. It provides customers with instant and consistent answers to their queries with endless patience, 24/7. The Oromia Bank Bot delivers a variety of services, including providing information about the bank’s services, collecting customer feedback, and delivering exchange rate information from their database.

Hibirbot is a chatbot that uses AI technology and is specifically designed for Hibret Bank. It is highly efficient and can provide prompt and consistent responses to customer queries 24/7, with a high level of patience. The chatbot offers a variety of services, including providing information about the bank’s products and services, collecting customer feedback, and deliver exchange rate information by retrieving from their database.

Citizen Engagement is an app that allows you to report crimes to the Federal Police of Ethiopia in a fast and easy way. You can attach videos, pictures, documents, and location to your report, and also track the status of your report online. With Crime Reporter, you can help the police fight crime and make your community safer.

The author believes that Ethiopia can effectively use AI for controlling and combating contraband, illicit trade, human and arms trafficking. Therefore it is important to incorporate the technology and theory into the curriculum of the educational system in the country at all levels.

 Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald

The Ethiopian Herald November 3/2024

 

 

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