Flu's spread is unpredictable. Can AI yield more reliable forecasts? - STAT

Flu season reliably arrives around this time every year -- but where the virus heads and how it will spread can seem wildly unpredictable. Now, artificial intelligence is playing a bigger role in trying to change that. One startup is using data collected from thermometers to develop algorithms to derive insights about flu activity that it could sell to retailers, consumer-goods makers, and perhaps even health systems. Academic researchers are refining sophisticated AI models, including using machine learning and statistical methods to recognize patterns and map out future trajectories. Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT Plus and enjoy your first 30 days free!