Spain will develop an application based on the blockchain and AI to combat COVID-19.

   A Spanish research team of more than 100 people is developing an application that uses AI and blockbusters to forecast the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and manage quarantine measures.

The initiative is supported by the Salamanca Institute for Biomedical Research and the Research Institute of Artificial Intelligence. The application is currently in the proof of concept stage.

The application will use a blockchain to store and verify digital identifiers and permits for individuals to perform certain tasks, such as commuting to work or visiting a supermarket during quarantine. Each person will be assigned a certificate written down in the blockchain and a private key to confirm identity.

To predict future Coronavirus behavior, the Deep Intelligence AI platform is used, which summarizes information from news agencies and scientific journals with health data, and shares its analysis with officials and health professionals. The application can provide specific instructions to individuals and companies on how to minimize the spread of the virus.

The project team hopes that the information collected by the app will help shed light on the development and control of future pandemics. They are currently exploring additional funding opportunities. Team leaders Juan Manuel Corchado and Javier Prieto said in an interview:

"Technology will be able to support health workers by providing information that can be used in decision-making. For example, if data show an increase in COVID-19 cases, officials may decide to deploy additional mobile health units.

This is not the first time that a blockchain has been seen as a possible tool in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. It was recently learned that INATBA, an international association in partnership with the European Commission and University College London, has begun coordinating solution providers for the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the latest report of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the blockchain will help solve problems in global supply chains. In addition, Emerge Canada recently announced that it plans to use the blockaded solution to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America.