Depending on which day you’re reading the news, you’re likely to read something about artificial intelligence (the good, the bad and the mostly ugly). Ever since the launch of ChatGPT and similar generative AI tools, many of us grown accustomed to using it daily. Could those mundane tasks and mountains of admin be ending? I remain hopeful.
But let’s not forget the disability community was using AI before it went mainstream. We were the ‘beta’ testers, using Alexa and Siri to check the weather, solve math problems, or answer questions. We’ve used “AI classic” to automate tasks and reduce effort: think robotic vacuum cleaners, automated blinds and smart thermostats.
Now we’ve got Generative AI. An amazing upgrade its sparking creativity and hyper-personalized help. AI tools can now invent, write and “see.” However, this surge in personalized assistance creates a big questions: Where does this powerful new technology fit safely into the lives, of people with disabilities? What’s its potential?
For individuals with vision loss, modern AI powered “smart glasses” with built in cameras and microphones will describe real time surroundings: reading labels, identifying objects, and navigating complex environments.
For those with spinal cord injuries and motor control challenges, AI is the new operating system for revolutionary neuro-prosthetics and robotics. In rehabilitation, where fit and personalization is key, machine learning algorithms can scan movement patterns and predict imbalance instantly. Even better, AI is used to precisely synchronize electrical stimulation with robotic exoskeletons to reteach the nervous system to walk or stand.
AI technology can also support people with neurodiversity. AI driven smart glasses process facial expressions and vocal tone in real time, offering discreet, personalized feedback to help interpret complex social cues. Individuals with
dyslexia can now use AI writing assistants to go beyond spell check. These tools offer real time feedback on sentence structure, organize scattered thoughts into coherent arguments.
Okay, we’ve covered the exciting possibilities. Now it is time for the massive reality check. As Fable’s Sam Proulx points out in his sharp critique, “How AI Needs To Be Redesigned For People With Disabilities”, most mainstream AI is built on a foundation of massive, systemic exclusion.
Proulx, who is blind, argues that AI is fundamentally flawed if its training data excludes people like him. Recommendation engines, for instance, still suggest content without checking for audio descriptions or captions which makes their results irrelevant. He argues that firms must make serious commitments to inclusion in all phases – design, testing, and implementation. For example, automatic image descriptions should provide a “confidence score” so that blind users know if the AI is 99% or only 60% sure when making decisions.
And, speaking of trust, the rise of AI deepfakes and sophisticated rouses is frightening. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that victims of fraud and cybercrime in Canada lost more than $638 million in 2024. When an AI can perfectly clone a loved one’s voice – you know it’s trouble.
On the economic side, AI is said to pose the threat of job loss for people with disabilities and seniors, especially those currently employed in low skilled or low paying jobs. We’re already seeing an impact in entry level admin roles and data entry. If many of these more accessible jobs are going to be made redundant, our community must advocate now or training programs and policies to ensure that AI also helps with the creation of new jobs.
As for me, AI has become an invaluable tool. It helps streamline some tasks, like planning a recent vacation itinerary or making a restaurant reservation but it can’t, and never should, replace human lived experience. And, before it’s too late, we must collectively ensure that the future of AI is built with us, not just for us. This will cement its role as an amazing tool for widespread empowerment and greater independence.
Joel Dembe is a Paralympian, public speaker and a senior manager at RBC Direct Investing. He’s also Vice-Chair of Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. He serves as a Chair of the Patron’s Council for the Canadian Abilities Foundation.
Image: Freepik
