Terrorism is a huge paranoia among governments of the world, and with good reason. And if there’s one type of terrorist attack that could be worse than mass shootings and bombings, it’s biological attacks.
Reuters
REUTERS
As such, scientists in South Korea are training an artificial intelligence system to quickly identify anthrax when mixed with other similar substances.
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology used a detailed imaging technique called holographic microscopy, in combination with their artificial intelligence. They designed an algorithm that can analyse the structure of a white powder (which is how anthrax bioweapons are spread) and identify whether it contains the deadly bacterial spores in under a second.
Once Anthrax spores enter the body, they multiply, causing flu-like symptoms, and then spread through the bloodstream, poisoning it in the process. When infected, 85 percent of people die if left untreated, sometimes just a day or two after symptoms appear. The technique now developed is still only about 96 percent accurate, but it’s much faster than any other identification techniques we have, which could save countless lives in the event of an anthrax terrorism incident in future.