Russian Direct Investment Fund Analyzing AI Use For Detecting Coronavirus-Caused Pneumonia

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th March, 2020) The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is discussing with Moscow authorities the possibility to apply cameras capable of detecting faces and measuring persons' temperature remotely, and is also analyzing possible investment into artificial intelligence systems for distinguishing regular pneumonia from pneumonia caused by the coronavirus, RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev has said in an interview with Sputnik.

"We have largely reoriented RDIF activity toward the coronavirus fight. As you see, we have invested into a test system, into medication production. We are discussing with the Moscow government application of cameras, which detect faces and measure persons' temperature remotely, we are also analyzing investment into artificial intelligence systems for telling simple pneumonia from pneumonia caused by the coronavirus," Dmitriev said.

He pointed to RDIF's social responsibility in the face of the pandemic.

The fund has an intention to pour funds into production of medical products, the CEO announced.

"We have plans to invest in plants producing sanitizers and other medical products. We are engaged in negotiations with major producers," Dmitriev said.

RDIF and Japan's Mirai Genomics are working on a new diagnostic system for detecting the coronavirus, which can be used both at static laboratories and at unique portable mini-laboratories. The system is using the SmartAmp method, enabling express diagnostics within up to 30 minutes.