The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea has approved the country's first AI software-as-a-medical-device for supporting depression diagnosis. Developed by local AI company Acryl, the product, ACRYL-D01, utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze patient interviews and determine the likelihood of depression. This innovative tool has also been designated as a groundbreaking medical device.
Acryl, founded in 2011, provides a generative AI infrastructure platform called Jonathan and a hospital information system built on the same AI framework. The approval of ACRYL-D01 follows similar clearances granted in April of the previous year for digital therapeutics targeting respiratory rehabilitation and vision impairment caused by cognitive illnesses.
Additionally, two AI technologies aimed at identifying depression were introduced last year. A mental health diary app called REDI, launched in September, employs generative AI to detect depression in speech. In November, a multi-institutional research team published findings on machine learning models that predict mood episodes, including depression, using sleep and circadian rhythm data collected from wearable devices. Depression, a mood disorder affecting up to three in ten Koreans annually, continues to inspire innovations in digital health solutions.
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