AI could help identify toddlers who may be autistic, researchers say

The researchers said the measures that appeared to be most significant for the model’s predictions included problems with eating foods and age at first smile. Photograph: Layland Masuda/Getty Images

Artificial intelligence may help experts identify toddlers who may be autistic, researchers have said after developing a screening system they say has an accuracy of about 80% for children under the age of two.

The researchers say their approach, which is based on a type of AI called machine learning, could bring benefits.