Artificial intelligence (AI) is finding its way into many industrial, retail, and medical applications. But technology is also being mined for a purpose that can be considered even more basic- aiding those with special needs to communicate with the world. 

One such organization that uses AI to aid people with needs is Indic AI. Indic AI is a Non-profit transforming Ability to Distinction' for “People with Disabilities” to help them become active participants in the economy and realize their potential. 

“Indic AI has two parts- one which helps people with disabilities in education and second which aid them for work placements”, said Purva Mittal in a conversation with INDIAai. In her opinion, people with disabilities tend to confine themselves to government jobs. Indic AI is trying to eradicate this notion by spreading the awareness that MNCs also have inclusive work cultures.  

They partnered with multiple EdTech organizations like Vedantu and Byju’s. Through which they are providing up to 90% of scholarships to their students. Their venture has also been selected by IIM- Bangalore for NSRCEL social incubation program among nine other esteemed organizations aiming to bring a change in society.  

Disability to distinction 

Did you know approximately 10% of the students from the disabled community are brilliant and have exceptional talents? But many of these stars fail to shine because they need to learn about their available opportunities. Indic AI made a repository of special-needs students and patched them up with their contacts. 

Indic AI workforce includes people with disabilities who are cancer survivors, those with locomotive disabilities and with rare genetic disorders. They also work for finding those with invisible disabilities. Individuals with invisible disabilities cannot be identified easily, and they might not be certified but are differently abled.  

AI for hearing impaired 

The inclusivity of the deaf community is negligent as the individuals teaching sign language demand high remuneration. Therefore, EdTechs and NGOs fail to hire them. 

Indic AI is an EdTech platform with several modules available digitally. To uplift the deaf community, they introduced an app, ‘Indic Sign’. Inspired by the Talk Back application, Indic Sign which function with the help of two 3D companions- Bunty and Bubbly, that can translate words typed in the English language into Indian sign language. 

The team has trained the model using machine learning. Indic Sign is used as an overlay for the Indic AI website, interviews, and to teach students about Indian Sign languages.  

The future is bright with AI 

Students with hearing impairments find it hard to fit into their community due to language differences. Due to a lack of training in Indian Sign Language, they communicate with each other in their signs. Even two hearing-impaired individuals might find it difficult to talk with one another due to this disparity. 

 “I am a person with a rare genetic condition, and there are things that I am unable to do”, said Purva Mittal. “AI has helped me in several ways”.  

The developments made by AI in this field are still at a nascent stage, but its scope is large. Text-to-speech and image-to-speech translations will be beneficial for the visually challenged. Their movements will be safer and much smoother with an AI-powered prompter. In addition, technological advancements in the field will make the devices cheaper and more accessible.