World Bank and KT Strengthen Healthcare Capacity in Developing Countries Using Big Data

World Bank Group Korea Office Director So Hoon-seop (left) and KT AI/BigData Service Manager Byun Hyung-kyun are signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and taking a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 19th (local time), KT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Bank (WB) at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C., USA, to promote AI and big data-based international development cooperation projects.

KT and the World Bank agreed to contribute to providing AI and big data solutions targeting developing countries and conflict-vulnerable nations. Both organizations will promote the introduction of ICT solutions to strengthen health capacities and socio-economic development in developing countries. They will also share know-how and knowledge and organize international development cooperation conferences.

Additionally, during the World Bank’s ‘Korea Innovation Week’ held alongside this MOU, KT showcased the ‘Global Epidemic Prevention Platform (GEPP)’ and the ‘Livestock Epidemic Prevention Platform (LEPP).’ These two technologies attracted significant attention from government officials as measures related to infectious diseases amid the recent global spread of the novel coronavirus.

The ‘Epidemic Prevention Platform’ is a platform that utilizes telecommunications data to preemptively block and manage the global spread of epidemic infectious diseases. In 2016, KT introduced the ‘Smart Quarantine System’ domestically in collaboration with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Subsequently, KT launched the GEPP service starting with Ghana in August last year, followed by Laos in September. In December, KT successfully commenced the service in Kenya, a hub country in East Africa, in partnership with Safaricom, the leading local telecommunications operator.

Kim Chae-hee, Executive Director of KT’s AI/Big Data Business Division, said, “This MOU provides an opportunity for KT, as Korea’s leading ICT company, to contribute to the health of people worldwide beyond Korea,” adding, “We will continue to actively strive to lead the resolution of global social issues with warm ICT technology for people.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.