AI Monkey app helps autistic children
Print Edition
AN app developed by Xinhua Hospital and the University of Cambridge that uses artificial intelligence to help children with autism was unveiled yesterday.
The AI Monkey, which has a Chinese cartoon image of the Monkey King, targets autistic children between 2 and 4 years old. Facial recognition and AI are used in a game of social learning. In the game, each child looks at the face of the monkey, who can imitate the child’s facial expression. If they move their eyes away or lose concentration, the monkey vanishes from the screen and fireworks appear to reattract their attention.
“Autistic children usually begin to show symptoms when they are 18 months old and are diagnosed with the condition at the age of 30 months,” said Dr Li Fei from Xinhua Hospital. “The period between 2 and 4 years of age is key for brain development, so proper intervention and training can control and improve their condition.
“Most families with autistic children can’t achieve the goal by themselves. The cost for the rehabilitation facilities are also too high for many of them.”
The game allows parents and children to train at home.
“It is based on games like peekaboo, while with elements to train their social brain,” said Barbara Sahakian from University of Cambridge. “Eye contact and facial expressions are highlighted.”
About one in every 88 children in the United States have autism.
There is no epidemiological survey for China, but the rate is believed to be less than 1 percent, by scientists.
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