Class X boy’s AI model to detect spinal lesion; wins Rs 1.5L

Lucknow: Class X student Visharad Upadhyay, who created an AI model to detect and classify spinal lesion using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), won Rs 1.5 lakh in Hackofiesta 6.0 organised by UP govt and IIIT Lucknow, on Wednesday.

Student of Kendra Vidyalaya Gomtinagar, Visharad said, "Spinal lesions are difficult to detect in X-rays with human eyes and often require an MRI or CT scan. Since there are not many diagnostic centres equipped with MRI and CT scan in rural and semi-urban areas, my AI model prototype can detect lesions in the spine from X-ray images and it's highly accurate."

Indranagar resident and son of retired sergeant, the tech-savvy teenager said, "The model has been designed to target seven types of lesions including osteophytes, disc space narrowing, surgical implant, foraminal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, vertebral collapse."

Visharad started coding at the age of 10, while his elder sister Priya Upadhyay was pursuing her master's in computer application. "I was inspired by my elder sister. I spend considerable time coding and often get checked by my family to focus on the Class X board, but I'm able to manage it."

"After school, I want to join a university which can help me learn more about computer science and AI," he added. Visharad's father Dinesh Kumar Upadhyay now practices law after retiring from IAF, while mother Alka Upadhyay is a retired teacher.