A two-minute AI test developed in Dubai could help detect autism signs much earlier

Eye-tracking technology helps identify children who may need specialist assessment A research team led by the University of Dubai has developed an artificial intelligence-powered screening tool designed to identify early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, providing a faster and more accessible way to support early intervention. The technology combines eye-tracking analysis with developmental milestone data to assess whether a child may require a specialist evaluation. Researchers said the system could help reduce diagnostic waiting times by identifying children at higher risk of autism at an earlier stage. Autism can often be detected during a child’s first two years of life, yet many children are not formally diagnosed until around the age of four, delaying access to intervention programmes that are known to improve long-term developmental outcomes. Unlike many existing screening methods, which rely primarily on parent-completed questionnaires such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), the new system objectively analyses a child’s eye movements while they watch short videos featuring both social and geometric scenes. Parents simultaneously complete a developmental milestone questionnaire, with the AI model combining both data sets to generate an early risk indicator. The system evaluates raw eye-tracking data, including gaze patterns, fixation duration and visual scanning behaviour, without [...]