But advancements in AI technology are already beginning to remove the need for volunteer helpers on the other end. Applications for blind users are just one area where AI is helping to advance what’s known as “assistive technology,” tools designed to help people who are disabled or elderly. New generative AI tools are especially promising for accessibility applications because they’re designed to understand and produce information in various formats, including text, audio, photos and videos. The effort, called the Speech Accessibility Project, involves collecting recordings from volunteers with conditions such as Parkinsons, Down Syndrome, ALS and other disabilities that can affect speech. “We don’t want to leave people behind … technology in general has the ability to level the playing field,” Andersson said.

---

Persons: Matthew Sherwood, Sherwood, Chris, OpenAI, ” Sherwood, Eve Andersson, Google’s, ” Andersson, ”, Clarion Mendes, ” Mendes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Google, Apple, Tech, CNN, Big Tech, Microsoft, University of Illinois, Clarion Locations: New York, University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign