Artificial intelligence framework for threat assessment and containment for covid-19 and future epidemics while mitigating the socioeconomic impact

This project focused on developing an AI-based framework to support socially responsible epidemic response. Using COVID-19 as a case, the project examined how containment strategies could be detected, modeled, and predicted while also considering their socioeconomic impacts on vulnerable groups, including women, children, and underprivileged communities. The work aimed to support more informed public health decision-making by integrating AI tools for threat assessment, contact tracing, and social impact mitigation during COVID-19 and future infectious disease outbreaks.

Funded by: IDRC – International Development Research Centre

Project period involved: March 2021 – December 2022

Outcomes

Peer reviewed

Gayanthi A.Ilangarathna, Lakshitha Ramanayake, Neranjan Senarath, Yasiru Ranasinghe et al. 2024. A dataset on the socioeconomic and behavioural impacts in Sri Lanka through multiple waves of COVID‑19. Data in Brief 53: 110063, link 

Harshana Weligampola, Lakshitha Ramanayake, Yasiru Ranasinghe, Gayanthi Ilangarathna et al. 2023. Pandemic Simulator: An Agent‑Based Framework with Human Behavior Modeling for Pandemic‑Impact Assessment to Build Sustainable Communities. Sustainability 15: 11120, link 

Thanuja Wijesiri, Gayanthi Ilangarathna, Wathsala Dedunupitiya, Janaka Ekanayake et al. 2023. The Impact of the Covid19 Pandemic on Women in the Households: Qualitative Analysis of Women’s Quality of Life and Mental Health. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 7:610‑622, link 

Gayanthi A.Ilangarathna, Yasiru Ranasinghe, Harshana Weligampola, Erandi Attygalla, Janaka Ekanayake, et al. 2022. A Comprehensive Overview of Education during Three COVID‑19 Pandemic Periods: Impact on Engineering Students in Sri Lanka. Education Science 12: 197, link 

Gayanthi A. Ilangarathna, Yasiru Ranasinghe, Harshana Weligampola, Erandi Attygalla, Janaka Ekanayake, et al., 2022. Artificial Intelligence framework for threat assessment and containment for COVID19 and future epidemics while mitigating the socioeconomic impact to women, children, and underprivileged groups. J.Natn. Sci. Foundation Sri Lanka 50 (Special): 251262, link 

Non-peer reviewed

Artificial Intelligence Frameworks for Threat Assessment and Containment of COVID‑19 and Future Epidemics,2021. Hanthana Vision, Research Magazine of the University of Peradeniya, Volume 7, Issue 2, December 2021:28‑29 (Link)

Conference presentation

Ilangarathna G.A, Wijesiri T, Senarath N, Ramanayake L, Yatigammana S. et al. 2023. Impact of Pandemic on Access to Health Resources and Mental Well‑being of Identified Diverse Groups in Sri Lanka During the Three Waves of COVID‑19: The 6th Global Health Conference, Sri Lanka.