AI: Enabling Independence for the Disabled?

Published Date: 12/07/2024

Blind eSports gamer Mashiro puts AI chatbot ChatGPT to the test, hoping to travel alone with the help of technology.

Mashiro, a 26-year-old blind eSports gamer from Japan, relies on a companion to navigate Tokyo's streets. But he hopes that artificial intelligence (AI) can change that. This year, the US firm OpenAI released GPT-4, an AI chatbot that understands voice, text, and image commands in several languages. Mashiro put GPT-4 to the test on his way to a Para eSports meet-up, using the chatbot to guide him through the streets. Although the journey took longer than expected, Mashiro was excited about the possibilities that AI offers for people with disabilities.

Experts say that AI can make education, employment, and everyday services more accessible. For example, AI speech-to-text transcription can help people with hearing loss, while chatbots can assist those with learning disabilities in formatting resumes. There are also tools like Seeing AI, Envision AI, and TapTapSee that describe phone camera images for visually impaired people.

However, there are also challenges to overcome. Masahide Ishiki, a Japanese expert in disability and digital accessibility, warned that it can be

FAQS:

Q: What is ChatGPT?

A: ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI that understands voice, text, and image commands in several languages.

Q: How can AI help people with disabilities?

A: AI can help people with disabilities in various ways, such as speech-to-text transcription, chatbot assistance, and image description for visually impaired people.

Q: What is the goal of the Global Disability Innovation Hub?

A: The goal of the Global Disability Innovation Hub is to promote disability and technology research and innovation.

Q: What is Be My Eyes?

A: Be My Eyes is a Danish app that connects visually impaired people with real-life volunteers who assist via live chat.

Q: Can AI replace human assistants for people with disabilities?

A: While AI has the potential to empower people with disabilities, it is not meant to replace human assistants entirely. Instead, it can augment human assistance and provide additional support.

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