A groundbreaking AI-driven imaging system has achieved a 98% accuracy rate in diagnosing a variety of medical conditions by analysing the colour of the human tongue. This innovative technology, developed by engineering researchers at Middle Technical University (MTU) and the University of South Australia (UniSA), can detect conditions such as diabetes, stroke, anaemia, asthma, liver and gallbladder issues and COVID-19.
AI Generated
The research, which involved training machine learning algorithms using tongue images, demonstrates the potential of AI to revolutionise medical diagnostics.
The AI system, detailed in a newly published paper in Technologies, mirrors a 2,000-year-old practice in traditional Chinese medicine, where the tongue examination is a key diagnostic tool. According to Associate Professor Ali Al-Naji who worked on the research, “The colour, shape, and thickness of the tongue can reveal a litany of health conditions.”
The study’s findings suggest that AI-driven tongue analysis could soon be integrated into everyday healthcare, potentially even via smartphone applications, offering a secure, efficient, and affordable method for screening. Similar other studies have been reported in the past where voice can be used for similar diagnostics.
For policymakers, these breakthroughs highlights the growing role of AI in advancing medical diagnostics, providing opportunities to enhance public health through early detection and treatment of diabetes and other health conditions.
Advocacy Action:
Encourage policymakers to support further research into AI-driven tongue analysis for your local population samples. This innovative approach could improve early detection, particularly in underserved communities, making diabetes management more accessible.