Technology has always had an important impact on how we live, but today it touches more aspects of our lives than ever before. Advanced technology helps us achieve more in the workplace and enjoy greater convenience in our daily lives. It even adds elements of security and safety to our homes. The revolutionary impacts computers and smartphones have had are not coming to an end, though — if anything, they are only just beginning.
With the growth of artificial intelligence or AI tools, we have begun to gain the ability to handle far more complex tasks, develop exciting applications, and seek new ways to improve lives. Few groups have the potential to feel the same impact of new AI-based tools as those with disabilities. What is this technology, what is it capable of, and how will it change the way individuals with disabilities live and work?
What Is Artificial Intelligence?
The simplest way to define artificial intelligence is to classify it as a type of computer software that aims to mimic human cognition and task processing. Rather than being specifically programmed to complete a task, developers construct complex algorithms that analyze vast data sets, “learning” how to achieve the outcome desired by its engineers.
The easiest example to point to is image recognition. Such AI has been “trained” on millions of images to analyze data points that enable it to identify the contents of a picture based on previous “experience.” As with real human learning, failures are just as important to ultimately producing better results as successes.
It is important to note that this is not the AI of science fiction; it is not capable of generating original insights or conclusions. For now, AI applications remain limited to the quality of their algorithms and training data. Machine learning and AI tools trained on poor quality or limited datasets still reflect the truth of that old axiom: “garbage in, garbage out.” Thankfully, major investments of time and expertise have produced many AI solutions that are highly reliable at the tasks they perform.
What Has AI Accomplished So Far?
With intensive research and development ongoing for many years now, AI and machine learning have advanced from algorithms producing inconsistent results to applications capable of advanced, high-level output. Some of the most impressive accomplishments so far include:
- The development of image recognition technology capable of providing for applications such as augmented reality (AR). Image recognition combined with AI-based language processing has led to the creation of real-time translation tools, letting users point a camera at text in a foreign language to understand its meaning.
- Speech recognition AI, which powers digital assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Not only do these tools “understand” speech, but they can use it to search the web, buy products, and more.
- Text processing AI, which can accomplish tasks such as summarization to condense large documents into a compact passage quickly.
These are just a few examples of broad-based AI applications — many more are on the horizon, including exciting advances such as self-driving cars and more.
How AI Has Already Touched Lives
These use cases for AI do not exist only in the abstract. Such tools are available right now, and they have already begun to have an impact on individual lives. Let us look at a few of those instances:
- Seeing AI is a tool developed by Microsoft for visually impaired individuals. Using image recognition and voice processing it helps its users by describing whatever the camera sees, making it much easier to navigate spaces such as the home independently.
- Several assistive speech apps exist for those with speech impediments, such as those brought on by neurological diseases like Parkinson’s. Such tools make it easier to produce quick text-to-speech.
- AI-powered transcription tools aid hard-of-hearing individuals and keep them involved in conversations. AI instantly puts the speech down into text, providing a quality digital record that lets them stay engaged and aware.
While many of these tools are very useful in the home, AI applications go farther than that — they are even increasing accessibility and inclusion in the workplace.
AI and Disabilities in the Workplace
With access to these tools, it is possible to make businesses into more inclusive spaces. First, of course, is the obvious advantage tools such as transcription apps and Seeing AI offer — they transform the home into a more viable place to work. In a world where remote working has become far more common, AI ensures individuals with disabilities remain fully integrated with their office-based colleagues without sacrificing functionality or productivity.
Beyond that, businesses also have an opportunity to use these tools themselves to improve accessibility and ADA compliance, especially when it comes to digital documents. Did you know there are ADA standards in place that determine what features a file, such as a PDF, must have to make it usable for people with disabilities? Such features include rich metadata, searchable text, and compatibility with screen readers.
PDF software that already has built-in support for accessibility, such as Kofax Power PDF, is the perfect partner for AI-enhanced solutions. With a built-in “Accessibility Checker,” this program can automatically tell a user what accessibility features a PDF does not have, and then makes it easy to add those changes.
PDFs crafted with accessibility in mind support the paperless office while remaining fully open to those with disabilities — and it is an investment worth making. Combined with the built-in tools to create accessible full-text PDFs from the word “go,” and even the opportunity to convert other document formats into accessible PDFs, it’s software that can easily earn a place in the daily routine of a business.
Building Towards Better Accessibility Today and Tomorrow
A diverse workforce is always preferable — it contributes to a wealth of different ideas and perspectives and sets the stage for better innovation and collaboration. Today, artificial intelligence is not just limited to the home or a smartphone app. From enhanced PDF software to tools such as Seeing AI that pair perfectly with accessible digital documents, more efforts than ever are underway to continue expanding the playing field for individuals with disabilities. As AI continues to improve, it seems clear that it will become an even more vital element in building a truly inclusive society.
