In May 2019, Google outlined a new initiative that would harness artificial intelligence  to improve technology access for people with speech disabilities. Under the auspices of ‘Project Euphonia’, Google has partnered up with non-profit organisations working with people diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that often results in an inability to speak or move - restricting the ability of patients to interact with the world around them. The condition can mean that patients may even be unable to use speech recognition and AI virtual assistants. However, Google hopes to change this by using AI to train speech recognition software to better understand the speech patterns of ALS patients. 

Taking this further, Google is also working on using AI algorithms to detect gestures and sounds to trigger actions such as spoken commands for the Google Assistant. While the focus at present is on ALS, this tech could also be leveraged to enhance assistive technologies for other conditions that involve speech and locomotor disabilities. 

This is just one example of how AI-powered assistive technologies can be used to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. Microsoft, meanwhile, has its own AI for Accessibility program, with technologies such as Seeing AI, which uses AI to generate spoken descriptions of objects for persons with visual impairments. Microsoft has also partnered with other organisations to develop technologies that can be used to help autistic children communicate, and to enable deaf and hard of hearing students participate in college lectures.

 The opportunity AI offers in improving assistive tech for the benefit of persons with disabilities is also well understood in India. India’s first disability focused accelerator, the Assistive Technology Accelerator, backed by Bengaluru-based non-profit Samarthanam, is now operational. Amongst their portfolio is Eye-D, a mobile app by Bengaluru-based startup GingerMind Technologies. Eye-D uses computer vision to act as a virtual assistant for those with vision impairments, offering features such as text-to-speech for signboards, verbal description of surroundings, and more,  enabling the visually impaired to participate in daily life. Meanwhile, Inclov is a matchmaking app that uses machine learning to help persons with disabilities find companionship.

The 2011 census revealed that there were 26 million Indians with disabilities, a number that would have grown by now. As AI-powered assistive technologies mature and get included in consumer-facing products, our fellow citizens will have a better chance not just at traversing daily life, but also at participating in the economy. For this to happen, developers will need to increase the reach of their products, targeting regional languages, and also, taking into account the level of comfort with mobile and app-based technologies. But the development of new assistive tech isn’t the only challenge. Making such technologies affordable (and easily available) for users will play a major factor in uptake and adoption. At the same time, the potential lack of profits shouldn’t hinder development, which makes a case for utilising public and CSR funds to further this aim: The Assistive Technology Accelerator is also being supported by the Government of Karnataka, and this can set an example for a nationwide public-private effort aimed at helping persons with disabilities lead full lives and take part in our growing economy.  

Technology is often described as a tool for humanity, a tool that lets us maximise our potential, which brings us to the question: What better application of technology than to foster inclusion and help persons with disabilities lead rich, fulfilling lives?

Source: INDIAai