Light AI
AI-Powered Solutions for Throat Imaging

Joining the ever-evolving field at the intersection of healthcare and cutting-edge innovations, Light AI sets itself apart by developing novel healthcare solutions using powerful artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. With an impressive background in data science, Light AI CEO Peter Whitehead has fueled many healthcare innovations, among which is a point-of-care oral cancer screening technology that became the number one oral cancer screening device used by dentists globally.

From there, Whitehead was curious to see if AI could differentiate viral and bacterial diseases using computer vision. Light AI began this innovative journey by focusing on Group A strep throat, a common pediatric bacterial infection. The goal was to reduce unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics that can weaken immune systems and give rise to superbugs.

“80 percent of patients who are treated for sore throats do not have a bacterial infection,” says Whitehead. “Unfortunately, 50 to 60 percent of this patient population are prescribed antibiotics. Light AI seeks to alleviate the guesswork when it comes to throat screening to effectively diagnose and deliver the best health outcomes.”

Light AI achieves this with a neural network to provide instant results to providers and patients. Users can capture images of their throat, tonsils, and tongue with their smartphone camera or a Light AI-designed handheld imaging device. Light AI’s technology then determines whether they have a bacterial or viral infection, or no infection at all. This technology has been tested on patients with Group A strep throat and later with COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Light AI partnered with the Ministry of Health in Brazil along with LabCorp in the United States to test the technology's capacity to determine if a patient is COVID-positive or negative.

The insights gathered through these clinical studies have allowed Light AI to further build the technology to address other infections like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Light AI is optimistic regarding its reception by regulatory agencies like the FDA. Currently, in the testing stages, Light AI is consistently identifying new ways in which this technology will benefit communities across the world. Ultimately the goal is to make this technology available to parents for use at home which could reduce unnecessary trips to the emergency room or pediatrician.

Light AI seeks to alleviate the guesswork when it comes to throat screening to effectively diagnose and deliver the best health outcomes

A success story in Uganda demonstrated that the use of smartphones could be an impactful contributor to community health. Since it is difficult to procure lab tests in the region, this easy method of imaging and subsequent diagnosis has proved to be a powerful tool.

“We’re already getting feedback from the healthcare leaders in Uganda,” says Whitehead. “They believe it will be an effective way to manage the medical burden on their community.”

Looking at the future, Light AI is prepared to continue enhancing its technology and expand its vast oral imaging database. By the end of the year, Light AI is on track to working with nearly half a million images.

Light AI is grateful to have a large community of healthcare professionals eager to leverage its technology for quick and accurate diagnosing of patients in the upcoming years. It has identified opportunities to address different types of diseases in the future, going beyond the infection classification. Light AI believes the throat is a telling window into one’s systemic health. The team is eager to study and expand the technology to continue addressing these illnesses and improve overall public health.