{
  "id": 11034653,
  "title": "Google's AI ranks #1 for predicting flu hospitalizations.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/googles-ai-ranks-1-for-predicting-flu-hospitalizations",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-30T21:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Google Blog",
    "slug": "google-blog",
    "url": "https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/google-research/google-science-ai-flu-forecasts/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Google's artificial intelligence system ranked number one in predicting flu hospitalizations for the 2025-26 flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC's FluSight model, which compiles weekly predictions from various teams on hospital admissions for the current week and the subsequent three weeks, utilized Google's AI in its assessment. From October to May, the CDC employed FluSight to predict state-level demand for medical services each week. The end-of-season analysis revealed that Google's AI model most accurately matched the actual hospital admissions during the season. This outcome reinforces Google's belief that AI, when combined with human expertise, can enhance disease forecasting globally. The AI tool used to create Google's forecasts, called Empirical Research Assistance (ERA), generates optimization algorithms for various scientific disciplines. ERA's underlying technology is now accessible to selected testers through Google's experimental science tools.",
  "summary": "Google’s science AI model was the best at forecasting flu-related hospital admissions, the Centers for Disease Control announced.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}