https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak-computer-algorithm-artificial-intelligence/
A Canadian company, BlueDot, developed an algorithm that tracks infectious outbreaks around the world, tracks flights, and calculates cities with the highest risk of its population contracting disease. This technology was developed following the SARS outbreak in order to prepare, track, and prevent the next infectious disease, thus assigning this new science’s name: outbreak science. The algorithm has licensed access to anonymized location data from millions of cellphones and cell towers to prevent encroaching on civil liberties. The computer processes data every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. This early intel on the emerging coronavirus gave Canada time to prepare for the epidemic in addition to California’s state government which was the first state in the U.S. to institute a state lock down.