I-DAIR CODEX: A Predictive Analytics No-Code Platform for Public Health Research in Africa (Preprint)

BACKGROUND In the era of rapid digital evolution, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has emerged as a valuable strategy for organizations seeking to extract insights from large datasets. However, the adoption of AI and ML, traditionally associated with technical domains like computer science and data science, poses challenges for non-technical professionals such as public health researchers. To bridge this gap, we introduce I-DAIR CODEX, a no-code platform designed for end-to-end predictive analytics using AI/ML tools tailored specifically for public health researchers. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we describe the development process of building the I-DAIR CODEX for data analysis, machine learning, and predictive modelling for public health researchers. METHODS We actively engaged end users from the African Population and Health Research Center through a co-creation approach to iteratively define key feature requirements for the I-DAIR CODEX platform. We employed Agile software development methods in the platform's design and development. RESULTS Application of the I-DAIR CODEX platform demonstrated a substantial reduction in the time required for end-to-end predictive analytics tasks. In addition, the user feedback highlighted a high level of acceptance among the public health researchers, with respondents unanimously expressing that the application aligns seamlessly with their research requirements and holds the potential to be highly beneficial in their work. The feedback also emphasized the platform's user-friendly interface and the ease of task execution. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the I-DAIR CODEX is the first no-code platform designed for public health researchers within the African context. The platform is poised to empower public health researchers by facilitating the utilization of ML and AI technologies to extract insights from the data with reduced technical requirements.