Scientists have taught AI to identify diseases by language

Scientists from the Technological University of Iraq, together with colleagues from the University of South Australia, have created an innovative technology that allows diagnosing common diseases by analyzing the appearance and shape of a person’s tongue.

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This method, which doctors have been using for thousands of years, is now being mastered by artificial intelligence, implemented in a mobile app.

In a normal state, the human tongue is pink, symmetrical in shape, and has a light white coating. However, its appearance changes with various diseases: with diabetes, the tongue takes on a yellowish tint, a purple color can signal problems with the gastrointestinal tract or blood vessels, and a greasy coating can indicate cancer. A white tongue can indicate anemia, and a deep red tongue can indicate viral infections, including COVID-19. There are many other factors by which you can determine diseases in the early stages, just by looking at the tongue.

The artificial intelligence used was trained on a database of 5,260 confirmed cases of various diseases. The AI ​​algorithms match visual features of the tongue with possible pathologies.

The diagnostics are carried out using a camera, which should be located at a distance of 20 cm from the tongue, which eliminates the need for direct contact and makes the process absolutely safe. During the experiments, the accuracy of the diagnosis reached 98%. Although this technology is not intended for prescribing treatment, it significantly speeds up the diagnostic process and makes the work of doctors easier.

Clarifications

Artificial intelligence (English artificial intelligence; AI) in its broadest sense is the intelligence demonstrated by machines, particularly computer systems. It is a field of study in computer science that designs and studies methods and software that enable machines to perceive their environment and use learning and intelligence to perform actions that maximize their chances of achieving their goals. Such machines can be called artificial intelligence.

Viral diseases — infectious diseases and tumors caused by a significant portion of viruses. The general patterns of viral infections correspond to those observed in any infectious process. The main feature is cytotropism and obligate intracellular parasitism of viruses, which makes them in all respects (metabolic, energetic and ecological) dependent on the host cell.

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