A newborn baby wearing an eye mask lies in an incubator under blue phototherapy lights, likely for treatment of jaundice. The baby is covered with a nappy and a blanket featuring colourful patterns.

AI can detect infection before it’s too late!

Researchers from KTH, in collaboration with Neonatal care at Karolinska University Hospital, have developed an advanced AI system that can detect infections in patients, particularly premature babies, as early as 24 hours before conventional symptoms appear. The project “Explainable Machine Learning for Early Warning Systems” is funded by Digital Futures and led by Saikat Chatterjee, Associate Professor, Division of Information Science and Engineering at KTH and member of Digital Futures Faculty. Since infection symptoms can be subtle and delayed, the technology, which uses sensors connected to hospital beds, allows healthcare providers to initiate treatment much earlier, potentially saving lives. The AI system monitors key physiological parameters, providing valuable insights into the body’s response to infection.

The goal is to alert doctors three days before symptoms manifest, enabling more effective and timely intervention. The technology not only prevents life-threatening conditions like sepsis but also predicts the type of infection likely to occur. While the aim is not to replace doctors, these AI tools are seen as crucial additions to healthcare, offering valuable support to medical professionals in providing optimal patient care.

Radio interview with Saikat Chatterjee on Sveriges Radio P4

More in this interview with Saikat Chatterjee on KTH website

Photo: Praisaeng/Mostphotos

More news

Book cover titled MUSIC & SLEEP: A Scientific Perspective features a stylised outline of a sleeping person with a large musical note and sound waves, edited by Kira Vibe Jespersen and Björn Rasch.

New book release: Music and Sleep – A scientific perspective

12/05/2026

We are pleased to share the publication of Music and Sleep – A Scientific Perspective, edited...

A woman with glasses and a black shirt stands smiling with arms crossed in front of a glass wall displaying the words digital fut. A chalkboard covered in drawings and writing is visible to the left.

Advancing Parkinson’s research: Satarupa Chakrabarti on brain-based diagnostics and her time in Sweden

08/05/2026

Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease has long relied on observable symptoms—despite the disease originating in the brain....

A man in a suit speaks at a lectern in front of a large screen displaying the words Open Research Day and a colourful abstract image, inside a modern conference room.

Digital Futures Open Research Day 2026 showcases cross-sector collaboration and real-world challenges

07/05/2026

On 6 May 2026, researchers, industry representatives, and public sector partners gathered for the Digital Futures...

Four wooden Scrabble tiles on a table spell out the word PROOF, with a blurred green and white background of plants.

Digital Futures Launches First Proof-of-Concept Project Grants Call for 2026

28/04/2026

Digital Futures announces its first-ever call for Proof-of-Concept project grant applications, opening on April 28,...