A topic featured in blockbuster movies, artificial intelligence (AI) has become the focus of Brazilian startups aiming to contribute to the fight against Covid-19. In July, a call for proposals was issued by the São Paulo state government through the IdeiaGov program, seeking technological solutions utilizing AI algorithms to aid doctors in diagnosing the coronavirus based on X-ray and computed tomography scans. The challenge attracted 21 applicants, with three startups being selected to have their proposals validated at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Medicine (USP).
Following this period, which may take up to eight weeks, the solutions could potentially be adopted by the state. According to the São Paulo state government, the only commercially available solution of this kind worldwide currently exists in China.
