Yonsei University College of Medicine Begins Development of 'AI Platform for Autism Screening'

Selected for Government Demonstration Project: 33 Months, 1.32 Billion Won in Funding
Multimodal AI Combining Fundus Images and Behavioral Indicators

Yonsei University College of Medicine has started developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-based autism screening platform.

Yonsei University College of Medicine

On May 6, Yonsei University College of Medicine announced that it has been selected for the "Public Research Outcomes Demonstration Pilot Project," organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Technology Commercialization Promotion Agency, and has commenced development of an AI platform for autism screening. The research will be conducted for 33 months, from April 2026 to December 2028, with total funding of 1,323.5 million won.

The research is overseen by Professor Cheon Geun-Ah, a child psychiatrist at Severance Hospital. Professor Park Yurang from Yonsei University College of Medicine and the digital healthcare company Huraypositive are also participating in the project.

The research team aims to develop a multimodal AI-based autism trait screening platform that integrates analysis of fundus images and developmental behavioral indicators. Fundus examination is a non-invasive procedure that photographs the eye and is used to identify central nervous system characteristics.

The goal of this research is to make the technology accessible to primary care clinics and households. The team plans to upgrade the platform based on existing algorithms and clinical data, and will validate its clinical utility through actual patient application. They aim to achieve a technology readiness level of 7 or higher, which corresponds to the commercialization stage.

Professor Cheon, the principal investigator, stated, "Autism spectrum disorder, which involves atypical neurodevelopment beginning in early infancy, has significantly better outcomes when detected early and when appropriate treatment interventions are started as soon as possible. The AI developed through this project is non-invasive and quick, making it easy for anyone to use, and is expected to enhance the possibilities for early autism screening and treatment intervention."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.