AI's COVID drug enters clinical trials

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AI’S USE IN SOCCER SCOUTING ⚽️

If this technology would’ve been out years ago, I would definitely be a pro by now! 😅

What’s new? A new technology called AIScout is using AI to help amateur soccer players get seen by professional scouts.

How does this work? Aspiring soccer players aiming to demonstrate their skills to elite clubs have the option to capture video footage of themselves executing a range of drills, which they can subsequently share through the AIScout app. Utilizing advanced AI technology, the app meticulously monitors and evaluates both the player's intricate movements and ball interactions. This performance data is then integrated into the broader system, enabling comparisons with benchmark data derived from previously submitted information.

What problem does this solve? Richard Felton-Thomas, COO and director of sport science at AI.io, said, “Being able to see that vast volume of players, it’s just impossible from purely human scouts. There’s only so many weekends you can go and watch [games], so [Scouts] have to be really selective about who they watch. But they’re going to be selective about who they watch from subjectivity.” This will cause them to inevitably miss out on players that could otherwise make a great impact for their team and deserve an opportunity.

What’s the human element? The best scouts and experts believe there will always be a human element involved in scouting. As Felton-Thomas says, “It’s a source of information, it gives us more confidence in the decisions we make as humans, not to say we’re going to determine people’s lives and careers, by a machine ultimately telling someone the decision to make.”

AI’S NEW COVID DRUG ENTERS PHASE 1 TRIALS 💊

Just when we thought we were done talking about COVID … 😷

What’s up? Hong Kong and New York City-based biotech firm, Insilico Medicine, has recently unveiled an AI-designed drug for COVID-19, which has progressed to Phase 1 of clinical trials.

How was the drug created? Insilico's research team initiated the development process by employing their target discovery platform, PandaOmics, to pinpoint the specific protein targeted within the coronavirus. They then utilized their in-house "generative chemistry platform," known as Chemistry42, to create new molecules designed to combat this protein, offering a potential treatment solution for COVID and other coronaviruses.

Why is this drug needed? Distinct from a vaccine, this oral treatment represents a potential alternative to Paxlovid, the only existing medication for COVID symptoms. Paxlovid has been associated with undesirable side effects, including "Paxlovid rebound" and an unpleasant aftertaste, prompting the need for alternatives. Insilico's AI-generated drug, known as ISM3312, exhibits efficacy against Paxlovid-resistant variants and offers greater stability and prolonged activity.

CHINA’S AI SPACE CONTINUES TO GROW 🇨🇳

If you dig far enough, you’ll reach AI. 👷‍♂️

What happened? Chinese companies 360 Security Technology, known for its antivirus software, and iFlytek, known for its voice recognition technology, released their respective AI models to the public yesterday, called “Spark” and “Zhinao.” This comes after Baidu Inc. and SenseTime Group announced the release of their chatbots last week.

Why is this significant? In contrast to many other nations, China mandates that companies undergo security assessments and obtain clearance prior to making AI products accessible to the general public. Government authorities have recently intensified their initiatives to bolster companies involved in AI development, recognizing the growing significance of this technology in the competitive landscape, particularly in comparison to the United States.

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