How UW scientists are using AI to fight the opioid epidemic [Video]

SEATTLE — Could artificial intelligence hold the key to solving America’s opioid epidemic? Scientists at the University of Washington are using AI to understand addictive behavior and how the brain functions during addiction.

Machine learning is allowing neuroscientists at UW’s Golden Lab to analyze extensive video of mice addicted to fentanyl to better understand the complexities of addiction. The goal of the pre-clinical work is to one day inspire therapies that are less addictive and more personalized.

“We have a remarkably underdeveloped understanding of what these drugs are actually doing in the brain,” said Dr. Sam Golden, the leader of the research team.

“Getting this grant was very exciting,” said Golden. However, he added it was also a bit daunting. “It’s not a ‘what if’ grant. It is a ‘right now there is a problem’ grant … and what can we …