iFlytek's AI-enabled robot takes China's national medical licensing examination. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company iFlytek recently released its independently-developed smart outbound system as an assistant for epidemic control and prevention authorities during the outbreak.

The system can detect whether individuals are likely to be infected with the coronavirus.

The results are based on answers to enquiries such as "have you been to Wuhan recently" (Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, is the epicenter of the outbreak in China), and "do you have a fever now" – infected patients usually show symptoms including cough and fever.

Wang Bin, public health chief of Shuanggang community in Hefei, said the system has greatly increased working efficiency and reduce risks of cross-infection.

Without the system, it would be a daunting task for the 56 medical staff members at the community's public service center to do a search on the nearly 90,000 households.  

According to statistics unveiled by iFlytek, the system has completed 10.82 million calls and messages and 750,000 follow-up calls to people in 22 provinces from Jan 21 to Feb 7.

The system's R&D team said it also generates statistical reports based on phone call records for local departments in charge of epidemic control and prevention.