Hi, Yonsei University Signs MOU for AI-Based Dementia Screening

Professor Kim Tae-hee of Yonsei University and CEO Kim Jin-woo of Hi (from left in the photo) are posing for a commemorative photo at the business agreement ceremony.

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Digital therapeutics (DTx) specialist company Hi recently announced on the 6th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the use of the AI-based smartphone application Alzguard for screening cognitive decline with Yonsei University Wonju Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation.

The agreement ceremony was held at Front1 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where Hi's headquarters are located, with the participation of Professor Taehee Kim, the principal investigator from Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine and Wonju Severance Christian Hospital Department of Mental Health, and Jinwoo Kim, CEO of Hi.

Through this agreement, both parties plan to jointly conduct △ collection of app usage data from normal and cognitive decline groups △ collection of ground truth data (correct answers for input data) from normal and cognitive decline groups △ leading role in dementia prevention and formation of social consensus △ provision of integrated dementia services and establishment of health, medical, and welfare networks.

Alzguard was developed to screen mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using three types of digital biomarkers?eye tracking, voice, and cognition?solely with a smartphone without any additional equipment. Hi currently has clinical data from about 300 subjects and plans to secure additional data through this partnership to develop a screening tool with global competitiveness.

Professor Taehee Kim stated, “Applying digital healthcare devices in medical settings is a trend of the times. If cognitive decline screening can be conveniently conducted via smartphone, it is expected to greatly help local governments lacking mental health medical systems and elderly people with mobility difficulties.” CEO Jinwoo Kim said, “By signing the usage agreement with Yonsei University Wonju Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, we expect it will greatly help expand the user base of Alzguard in the future.”