South Korea is making a major move to improve how autism is detected in young children. With nearly $7 million on the table, the country is launching a project that brings together universities, hospitals, tech companies, and government agencies. The goal? To use artificial intelligence and big data to make autism screening faster, more accurate, and more consistent.
Why Now?
Autism rates in Korea have been rising steadily for more than a decade. Recent estimates suggest that more than 2 percent of children in Korea may be on the autism spectrum. Current screening methods mostly depend on what specialists and parents observe, which can be subjective and sometimes inconsistent.
What’s the Plan?
Here’s what the new project aims to do:
- Gather Data: Researchers will collect information from over a thousand infants and toddlers under four years old.
- Build AI Tools: The team is developing digital devices and algorithms to spot early signs of autism, aiming for more objective results.
- Work Together: Universities, hospitals, tech companies, and government agencies are all involved, hoping to have new screening tools ready by 2028.
What Could Change?
If this project succeeds, it could mean:
- Earlier Help: More children could get support sooner if autism is caught early.
- More Reliable Screening: AI tools could help reduce uncertainty in the screening process.
- A Model for Others: Other countries might look to Korea’s approach as an example.
There are still challenges, like making sure the data is diverse and keeping families’ information private. But many believe that using technology like this could make a real difference.
A Wider Trend
Korea isn’t alone in this effort. In the US, companies like EarliTec Diagnostics are also working on AI-powered autism screening tools. Japanese researchers are exploring similar ideas. Around the world, technology is starting to play a bigger role in healthcare, from cancer detection to mental health apps.
Looking Ahead
Korea’s big data project is a bold step that could help families find answers sooner and with more confidence. It’s a sign that the future of autism screening might look very different from the past.
Citations:
- Healthcare IT News. (2024, May 16). Korea launches $7M big data project to boost autism screening. https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/asia/korea-launches-7m-big-data-project-boost-autism-screening
- Korean Statistical Information Service. (n.d.). Autism statistics in Korea. https://kosis.kr/eng/
- EarliTec Diagnostics. (n.d.). About EarliTec. https://www.earlitec.com/
- The Japan Times. (2023, November 20). Japan’s AI autism research. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/11/20/national/science-health/japan-ai-autism-diagnosis/
