Researchers at Johns Hopkins are developing AI-driven video analysis tools to provide surgeons with unbiased skill assessments and personalized feedback. The system segments surgical procedures, detects instruments, and assesses skill in cataract surgery. Dr. Shameema Sikder is leading the development of technologies to improve ophthalmic surgical care standards internationally. Why it matters: AI-based surgical skill assessment could standardize training and improve patient outcomes in the region and globally.
Dr. Andrew Bastawrous, CEO/co-founder of Peek, discussed his work on mobile eye clinics at KAUST. He developed Peek Acuity and Peek Retina, which turn smartphones into tools for detecting visual impairment. The technology uses smartphone screens and camera clip-ons to image inside the eye. Why it matters: This low-cost mobile ophthalmic tool has the potential to prevent and treat vision loss in underserved communities.
This paper introduces a method for automatically designing convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures tailored for diabetic retinopathy (DR) diagnosis using fundus images. The approach uses k-medoid clustering, PCA, and inter/intra-class variations to optimize CNN depth and width. Validated on datasets including a local Saudi dataset and Kaggle benchmarks, the custom-designed models outperform pre-trained CNNs with fewer parameters.
Shozo Yokoyama, a biology professor at Emory University specializing in color vision evolution, was interviewed by KAUST. Yokoyama's lab identified amino acids regulating red-green and UV vision in vertebrates. He emphasizes the importance of young scientists developing fresh perspectives on evolution and learning directly from animals. Why it matters: While not directly an AI story, the piece highlights KAUST's broader research focus and its investment in attracting and showcasing international scientific expertise, relevant to building a strong research ecosystem.
Pierre Baldi from UC Irvine presented applications of AI to biomedicine, covering molecular-level analysis of circadian rhythms, real-time polyp detection in colonoscopy videos, and prediction of post-operative adverse outcomes. He discussed integrating AI in future AI-driven hospitals. The presentation was likely part of a panel discussion hosted by MBZUAI in collaboration with the Manara Center for Coexistence and Dialogue. Why it matters: This highlights the growing interest in AI applications within the healthcare sector in the UAE, particularly through institutions like MBZUAI.
This paper introduces a domain generalization (DG) method for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) classification that maximizes mutual information using a large pretrained model. The method aims to address the challenge of domain shift in medical imaging caused by variations in data acquisition. Experiments on public datasets demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art techniques, achieving a 5.25% improvement in average accuracy.
Margaret Livingstone, a neurobiology professor at Harvard Medical School, lectured at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program 2018 on how art can reveal insights into the human brain. She discussed how artists have long understood the independent roles of color and luminance in visual perception. Livingstone highlighted examples from Picasso, Monet, and Warhol to illustrate how artists manipulate visual cues. Why it matters: This interdisciplinary approach can potentially lead to new understandings of how the brain processes visual information and inform advances in both neuroscience and art.
Historian Mike Bruton spoke at KAUST about scientific disruptors from the House of Wisdom during the Islamic Golden Age. These scholars made contributions like introducing the concept of zero and debunking the Greek theory of sight. Ibn al-Haytham revolutionized knowledge of optics, demonstrating that light bounces off objects and enters our eyes. Why it matters: The lecture highlights the significant scientific advancements made during the Islamic Golden Age and their lasting impact on modern civilization.