ANTICIPATE prepares hospitals for pandemics using artificial intelligence
Interdisciplinary project brings together expertise in AI, epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics, and molecular diagnostics
ANTICIPATE, a new research project by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), and the University of Antwerp (UA), aims to better prepare hospitals for pandemics. By combining artificial intelligence (AI), epidemiological models, and innovative diagnostics, the project seeks to reduce the impact of future pandemics. The researchers focus specifically on hospitals, which play a crucial role in healthcare delivery during a pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly healthcare systems can come under pressure. ANTICIPATE addresses this challenge through two complementary approaches. First, the research focuses on early detection of new pathogens via a symptom-driven screening platform, with hospitals and general practitioners playing a key role. Second, the project strengthens hospital capacity during outbreaks, ensuring that both infected patients and those with regular healthcare needs can be treated safely while protecting healthcare workers.
“Timely detection of new pathogens is essential, but some viruses are so contagious that they can continue to spread even then”, says project coordinator Prof. Pieter Libin (AI Lab, VUB). “That is why it is important to support hospitals with intelligent systems that enable better decision-making.”
Within ANTICIPATE, researchers are developing detailed epidemiological models that simulate the daily functioning of a hospital. These models are linked to AI techniques that automatically learn which preventive measures are most effective in limiting infections and ensuring continuity of care. The AI techniques used support multiple optimization criteria, allowing policymakers to determine how much weight each criterion carries and to select the most effective measures accordingly.
In addition, the consortium is working on new molecular diagnostic tools based on next-generation sequencing and AI to facilitate continuous monitoring of unknown pathogens. This technology will be evaluated at UZ Brussels hospital.
“The impact of ANTICIPATE extends beyond hospitals alone”, says Prof. Libin. “We expect that the techniques developed can later also be used in residential care centers. As a final highlight, we will investigate whether a broadly implemented screening platform could even prevent certain pandemics, with potentially enormous societal and economic benefits.”
This interdisciplinary project brings together expertise in AI, epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics, and molecular diagnostics, and is supported by a broad advisory committee including healthcare institutions, policymakers, and scientists. ANTICIPATE receives €2,417,459 in funding from the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), a significant recognition of the project’s scientific quality and societal relevance.
More information:
Pieter Libin: Pieter.libin@vub.be
https://kennismakers.be/geflitst-met-pieter-libin
Frans Steenhoudt
