Copenhagen: National Food Institute of Denmark (DTU) developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to prevent pandemics by detecting bacterial threats, broadcaster DR reported Saturday. Named “PathogenFinder2,” the tool is designed to assess whether an unknown bacterium contains genetic traits capable of causing disease.

According to Anadolu Agency, the newly launched AI tool identifies potentially disease-causing bacteria before they start to infect by reviewing samples from wastewater, healthy people, and animals. “It is crucial not only to be able to predict bacterial threats that are similar to those we already know, but also to be prepared for the emergence of a completely new and previously unknown pathogenic bacterium,” said researcher Alfred Ferrer Florensa.

Florensa further noted that the tool performs “significantly better than all previous models.”