Meet Jamie. Jamie is a digitally savvy person with disabilities who enjoys using new technologies. But what is Artificial Intelligence’s place in their life? How is it helping or excluding them?
Discover the impact of Artificial Intelligence on persons with disabilities in our latest video (transcript available below):
Video
Transcript
Meet Jamie.
Always at the forefront of thoughtful technical progress, Jamie benefits from Artificial Intelligence every day.
In the morning, they enjoy the benefits of a digital assistant – from voice-activated lighting, to assistance with personal scheduling – and even suggestions on which jacket to wear depending on the weather.
But, despite all technical progress, the AI sometimes struggles to understand Jamie’s way of speaking, which is frustrating, and is a sign that AI must be trained to learn the varied ways people communicate.
When Jamie takes part in a recruitment test, they find that in examination and test situations, AI application software can be flawed.
A software error interprets Jamie’s body language as cheating, interrupting their test session
while other applicants continue. As a result, Jamie fails the assessment. It is the responsibility of
developers and companies to correct these types of errors. And to do that, they need to involve persons from diverse backgrounds – including persons with disabilities – from the beginning of development.
Whilst Jamie finds use in some AI tools, which improve day-to-day life, others can perpetuate bias
and even create new barriers. When a hard-of-hearing person asks for directions in the park, AI-powered speech-to-text technology allows Jamie to give them the right directions.
However, when a person with blindness tries to navigate through the park with an AI-powered app, they face difficulty. Instead of providing clear audio direction, the app relies on visual clues such as “follow the red path” and “turn left after the green bench”, which are references
the person cannot use. AI can improve lives, but it is not suitable for all situations, and it must be developed with care, inclusivity and consideration.
As the European Disability Rights Movement paves the way for inclusive AI, you can be part of that change.
Your voice counts.
Contact your EDF member organisation, and join us as we work for a
more inclusive digital tomorrow.
Try out and learn about AI. Subscribe to our AI and Disability Update and share what you think
with people who make AI, so they create a more inclusive technology.
And if you want to dive deeper, listen to European Digital Rights (or EDRi), a trusted digital rights ally of EDF.
Together, let’s create a digital space where everyone feels at home.
This video was created as a part of the disability inclusive AI project of the European Disability Forum. Made possible by the support from the European AI & Society Fund.