AI-Based Detection of Vitamin Deficiencies Earns AU Students Top Honors in UAE Hackathon

Under the motto “Data for Happiness and Wellbeing,” the UAE’s Annual Hackathon Series aims to develop innovative solutions that contribute to the health and happiness of the community at large. In search of those ideas, seven hackathons are held per year – one in each Emirate. There are prizes for the top three teams in each Emirate, but only one national-level prize for the best concept in the entire country.                

In February 2019, the UAE Hackathon’s highest national honors went to a team of three students from Ajman University’s College of Engineering and Information Technology for their idea, VitaCAM. AU student teams were also successful in taking first, second and third place within the Emirate of Ajman.   

VitaCAM is a smartphone application that uses artificial intelligence to detect vitamin deficiencies in humans. Through photographic images of the eyes, lips, tongue, the app evaluates a participant’s condition nails and issues a diagnosis. VitaCAM’s three inventors – Ahmed Saif Eldeen Khalil, Mohamed Ait Gacem, and Saifeddin O. S. Alghlayini– earned 50,000 AED in prize money for their remarkable idea. They also garnered high praise from their fellow competitors, the judging panel, and audiences in attendance for their remarkable invention.

“We’re always proud of the bright students at Ajman University for their compassion and innovation,” says Chancellor Karim Seghir, Ph.D. “But we are exceptionally delighted with the results of the UAE Hackathon because these young people have created something that can have a profound effect on public health. Not only is the VitaCAM a game changer in terms of affordability and accessibility, but it could turn out to be a life-saver as well.”