SK Telecom said on May 20 that it has developed an AI system called 'Nugu Carecall' that monitors symptoms of people who are subject to self-isolation and active surveillance related to the COVID-19.
This is a system in which SK Telecom's artificial intelligence NUGU calls to check whether COVID-19-related symptoms such as self-isolation, fever, body temperature, cough, and sore throat occur.
Local health centers in each region checked the status of self-isolation and active surveillance of those who are suspected of being infected with COVID-19 through telephone (untact) in accordance with the guidelines of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SK Telecom's Nugu Carecall played this role.
SK Telecom expects to accumulate systematic and rapid monitoring data and reduce work at quarantine sites as AI takes over the work previously done by health center personnel.
SK Telecom is the first mobile carrier to establish an AI assistant on the mobile network (IMS) and allows health center personnel and people who are subject to self-isolation and active surveillance to use 'Nugu Carecall,' through its dedicated website.
When a health center official logs in to the "Nugu Carecall" website and registers a contact target, "Nugu Carecall" calls the person to check for symptoms, immediately data the person's answers and upload them to the website, while a health center official checks the person's symptoms through the website.
In addition, 'Nugu Carecall' utilizes SK Telecom's NLU and STT/TTS technology to implement a question-and-answer system that is close to people's conversations, not ARS-style questions and answers that require yes or no answers.
SK Telecom and South Gyeongsang Province are planning to start such services for 1,500 people who are subject to self-isolation and active surveillance in 18 cities and counties in the province from May 20, and will also expand cooperation with other local governments to contribute to the COVID-19 response.
"We hope that 'Nugu Carecall' will be helpful to the situation where public health officials continue to work hard in the wake of the prolonged COVID-19," said Lee Hyun-ah, head of the AI service division at SK Telecom. "We will continue to find things that can help the public sector in the future."
