A UAE startup has introduced an AI-powered game designed to detect speech delays in children within 15 minutes. The platform uses artificial intelligence and interactive gameplay to assess children’s communication abilities at an early stage. The company has also made it clear that the app is not a replacement for doctors. It only helps parents understand if they should seek medical advice.
An entrepreneur in the UAE has made a small game that may help parents notice speech problems in children early. The game named Chatty Check takes only 15 minutes. Children play the game on a screen while the system listens to their speech. It looks at how they answer questions, speak words, and react during the game. If the app finds signs of a possible delay, parents can then visit a speech expert or doctor for a proper check-up. The tablet-based game can screen children aged three to five for early signs of developmental language disorder in about 15 minutes.
Chatty Check was developed with native Arabic and English support from the outset, with additional languages in development as Potion looks beyond the UAE.
Many parents are not sure when a child is speaking less than normal for their age. Some delays are noticed very late. Getting an appointment with a specialist can also take time. The startup founder said it wanted to make something simple and easy to use at home. The game format is also less scary for children. Instead of sitting through a long test, kids can play and talk naturally.
“Parents come up to me sharing their concerns, either knowing their child has a language disorder or suspecting early signs of delay,” Al-Ali, the founder, told Khaleej Times. “That combination, the scale of the need and the openness from parents, has been both humbling and motivating,” he added.
Also Read: How UAE is Using AI in Healthcare, Finance, and Transportation
More companies are now using AI in healthcare. Some tools are helping doctors, while others assist families with early checks at home. The UAE has seen many new AI projects in the last few years. Chatty Check is one of them. The startup believes technology can help parents take action earlier if they notice something unusual in a child’s speech.
“We worked closely with speech-language pathologists to understand how traditional screening sessions are conducted, the types of activities they use, and what each activity is designed to assess,” Al-Ali told Khaleej Times. “From there, we translated those evidence-based methods into interactive game experiences that feel natural and engaging for children,” he added.
Experts believe that early support is important for children with speech delays. The sooner the issue is noticed, the easier it can be to guide the child with the right help. Chatty Check is currently being piloted in nurseries across the UAE, with peer-reviewed clinical validation as the next milestone.