Microsoft India launches global research group to develop AI-powered eye care

Microsoft India is launching a research group that will leverage artificial intelligence to deliver large-scale eye care in collaboration with Hyderabad-based L V Prasad Eye Institute. The Microsoft Intelligent Network for Eyecare (MINE) will work with a consortium of research and technology institutions around the world, including the University of Miami, Federal University of Sao Paulo and Australia’s Brien Holden Vision Institute.

The idea is similar to Google DeepMind’s project, which targets the UK and works with their National Health Services to use artificial intelligence to detect and treat blindness-causing eye diseases. India is a logical jumping-off point for the project, as it is home to some 55 million of the world’s 285 million people living with vision impairment. Using Microsoft’s cloud platform technology Cortana Intelligence Suite, MINE will collaborate and work from datasets of patients around the world to develop machine learning predictive models for vision impairment and eye disease, with the ultimate goal of eliminating avoidable blindness and scaling worldwide delivery of eye care services.

Children will be a big focus for the project, and the consortium will explore how machine learning can be used to study rate of change of myopia and other conditions that impact eyesight in children.