Distinguished Professor Bruce Bassett Joins Wits University's Leading AI Research Efforts

Distinguished Professor Bruce Bassett, a renowned cosmologist and AI expert, has recently joined the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) as a Distinguished Professor in the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. His arrival marks a significant boost for South Africa's higher education landscape, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) applications to pressing health challenges. Bassett, who also holds a Full Professor position at the University of Cape Town (UCT), brings a unique blend of expertise from astrophysics to machine learning, now directed towards combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and superbugs in South African hospitals.

Bassett's transition from studying the cosmos—through projects like the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and Square Kilometre Array (SKA)—to tackling earthly threats like antibiotic-resistant bacteria exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation at Wits. This move underscores Wits' position as home to the country's premier AI research group, fostering collaborations across faculties to address real-world problems.

From Cosmic Frontiers to Microbial Battlegrounds: Bassett's Research Evolution

Bassett's academic journey began with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in applied mathematics, physics, and mathematics at UCT, followed by a PhD in astrophysics from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Italy and postdoctoral work at Oxford University. Returning to South Africa in the early 2000s, he contributed to SALT and later led SKA's data science team in 2017. His early adoption of machine learning in cosmology pivoted to broader AI applications as he foresaw its transformative potential.

"I’ve been using machine learning... for many years as a cosmologist, but then I realised AI was going to take over everything," Bassett noted, highlighting his strategic career shift. At Wits, he chairs Science in the Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute, an interdisciplinary hub launched to advance foundational AI research while growing Africa's AI talent pool.

The Alarming Rise of Superbugs in South African Healthcare

Antimicrobial resistance poses a severe threat in South Africa, where over 10,000 lives have been lost annually to resistant infections since 1990. In public hospitals, superbugs—bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics—cause high mortality, especially in sepsis cases. Traditional culturing methods take days, delaying critical treatment and allowing infections to progress fatally. Recent data reveal stark realities: two superbugs account for over half of fatal newborn infections in Soweto hospitals, contributing to a neonatal mortality rate of 13.4 per 1,000 births. Resistance rates are alarming, with 43% to ceftriaxone and 34% to cefepime in bloodstream infections.

WHO reports highlight Africa's disproportionate AMR burden, with South Africa contributing significant data but facing gaps in surveillance. This crisis burdens overburdened healthcare systems, making rapid diagnostics imperative.

Wits' AI-Driven Approach to Rapid Superbug Identification

Bassett's team collaborates with the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub and clinical partners to deploy AI for superbug detection. Unlike slow cultures, AI analyzes patient data—blood results, imaging—to identify pathogens swiftly, enabling timely 'super antibiotic' use without overuse risks. "If we could use AI to identify the bug much quicker, doctors can treat much earlier," Bassett explains.

• Processes multimodal data (text, CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, bloodwork) for accurate diagnosis.
• Compares AI outputs to expert clinicians for validation.
• Reduces sepsis mortality by accelerating targeted therapy.

This work builds on global AI successes, like MIT's generative models for novel antibiotics, but tailors to SA's context.

Photo by Google DeepMind on Unsplash

Beyond Superbugs: AI Tackling Cancer-Microbe Links at IDORI

Through the Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Bassett partners with Professor Robert Breiman to scan 30+ million research papers for microbial-cancer connections. Aiming at affordable vaccines for Africa—where gene therapies are inaccessible—this project identifies pathogens driving cancers prevalent in the region.

"Now we’re building AI that will scan all the 30+ million papers... looking for clues that might connect cancers with these microbes," Bassett states. Recent Wits-IDORI efforts produced a 'microbial watchlist' for cancer prevention, enhancing epidemiologic and clinical research.

Wits MIND Institute: Catalyzing AI Excellence in South African Higher Education

The MIND Institute positions Wits at Africa's AI forefront, emphasizing energy-efficient models for local challenges. Google.org's US$1M funding supports core research, attracting talents like Bassett and fostering PhD programs. Interdisciplinary ties with Health Sciences amplify impacts, training next-gen researchers.

This aligns with SA's push for AI skills amid global competition, positioning universities as innovation hubs.

Challenges and Solutions in AI for AMR Research

Despite promise, challenges persist: data scarcity in Africa, ethical AI use, and integration into resource-limited hospitals. Wits addresses these via robust validations and partnerships. Benefits include:

• Faster diagnostics saving lives.
• Optimized antibiotic stewardship curbing resistance.
• Scalable models for rural clinics.

Implications for South African Universities and Global Health

Bassett's work elevates Wits' profile, drawing funding and collaborators. It exemplifies how SA higher education drives solutions to national crises like AMR, which threatens economic growth. Future outlook: AI diagnostics in clinics by 2028, microbe-cancer vaccines trials.Learn more about Wits MIND Institute

For students and faculty, opportunities abound in AI-health intersections, bolstering SA's research ecosystem.

Photo by Google DeepMind on Unsplash

Bassett's Pottery: Balancing Innovation with Creativity

Beyond labs, Bassett grounds himself in pottery—a childhood passion revived. His Instagram cosmo.bruce showcases ceramics blending art and science, reflecting holistic academia.

"This really excites me. It is wonderful to work on projects that will actually make an impact," he says, embodying Wits' innovative spirit.

Future Horizons: AI's Role in Transforming SA Higher Education Research

As Bassett leads, Wits pioneers AI for health, inspiring universities nationwide. With AMR deaths projected to rise without intervention, such breakthroughs are vital. Policymakers must invest in AI infrastructure to sustain momentum, ensuring equitable benefits.

This positions SA higher education as a global AMR leader, blending cosmic curiosity with microbial solutions.