IBM and WHO create blockchain system for processing data on coronavirus

IBM, Oracle and the World Health Organization (WHO) are creating an open data center that willuse blockchain to verify the accuracy of information related to the coronavirus pandemic.

MiPasa solution positioned as“COVID-19 information highway,” said Jonathan Levi, CEO of Hacera’s platform development company. MiPasa, based on Hyperledger Fabric, will evolve as a number of data analysis tools are added, after which data and other information on COVID-19 will be tested.

“We believe that there is not enough information right nowto make informed decisions,” — Levi said. “How can we help all the people who would like to access and analyze the data?”

Corporate blockchain consortia in whichusually involved by IBM, can be organized for months. But in this case, the company was able to quickly attract major participants: Microsoft, Hopkins University, the National Health Commission of China and WHO. IBM Blockchain Technical Director Gari Singh said everyone he spoke to agreed that it was important to "create a consortium as soon as possible."

“We started by brainstorming howcollect, provide and use verified information about the virus,” — Singh said. “It was not fundamental for us to introduce blockchain into this solution. But we knew we needed duplicate copies of the data, we needed reliable sources, we needed to make sure it couldn’t be tampered with.”

IBM also implements Call for Code initiative forWork on the platform to quickly create tools that can help overcome the crisis. Singh said coronavirus testing data could be added to the platform in the coming weeks.

“We can come up with a simple set of applications forend-to-end testing", — he said. “Using an iPad, you can enter information without revealing the person's identity. We can start collecting information and creating new applications based on this data.”

Levy also noted that analytical toolscan provide unique information, provided that everyone can be sure and agree that all the data on the platform (which is completely open and free to use) is correct. He said that many companies offer their data to help take control of the virus.

“Many data tools providers are involved in the project. Everyone rushes to help, and no one takes a cent,” — Levi said.

Participants in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industrywilling to help fight the coronavirus. Earlier this month, the largest U.S. Ethereum miner, CoreWeave, diverted the computing power of 6,000 graphics cards to Folding@home research to find a cure for the coronavirus.

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