New innovative eye scan technology can detect bTB in livestock

A researcher at a Scottish university is developing new AI technology that can detect bovine tuberculosis (bTB) by simply scanning the animal’s eye.

As the scourge of bTB continues to destroy thousands of cattle worldwide, desperate previous attempts to try and stamp out the disease by governments have failed.

Millions of pounds in compensation is being paid to farmers in the UK each year, whose cattle have had to be destroyed after bTB was detected in them.

However, fresh hopes of tackling the disease lie on the shoulders of researcher Michaela Thorne from the University of Edinburgh, and her AI for the Eye technology.

Farmers could screen cattle for bTB more quickly using this artificial intelligence which examines images of the eye for signs of disease.

Aptly named, AI for the Eye is an early-stage project developed by Thorne, and was named runner-up in the KickStart Challenge at the Converge Awards for technology being explored as a way to provide rapid, non-invasive screening directly on farms.

The system is being developed in response to bTB, which costs the UK more than £130 million annually and is currently monitored using testing which can be slow, invasive and unreliable.

CREATING A PROTOTYPE

Thorne, founder of AI for the Eye, said, “The money is going to be used to make the retinal imaging prototype for the cattle, which means we will be able to take the device on farm and image live animals. It means a lot because we can validate the business and push things forwards.”

The approach could allow farmers and animal health professionals to carry out an initial check without repeatedly handling livestock, making large-scale screening quicker and less disruptive.

By providing results directly on farms, the technology aims to help identify animals which may require further investigation while improving animal welfare and supporting more efficient disease monitoring.

The system is intended to complement established veterinary testing rather than replace it, providing another source of information to support decisions about further examination and disease control.

The business is currently looking for investment to allow further prototype development and further validation.

AI for the Eye secured its runner-up position through Converge’s KickStart Challenge, which supports early-stage university founders to test ideas, build commercial knowledge and explore how emerging technologies can be developed into sustainable businesses.

Adam Kosterka, executive director of Converge, said, “AI for the Eye is a strong example of university innovation being applied to a problem with very real consequences for farmers, animal welfare and the wider economy.

“For 15 years, Converge has helped talented people transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses capable of delivering meaningful impact. Our role is to connect founders with the expertise, networks and opportunities they need to take those ideas beyond the university environment and towards real-world use.”