At Sea Change we’ve done a deep dive into AI in the last six months, learning as much as we can to understand its potential uses and impacts. AI, or artificial intelligence, is all around us, even when we don’t notice it. It helps us search the internet, use voice assistants, and even get subtitles for videos. In our recent Skill Builder session, AI for Accessibility and Social Impact, we explored how AI can make life easier for people and help communities, while also looking at the challenges that come with it.
AI in Everyday Life
Many of us use AI every day without realizing it. Here are some examples:
- Google Search helps us find information quickly.
- Autocorrect fixes our spelling mistakes.
- Netflix recommends movies and shows we might like.
- Grammarly helps people write clearly.
- Chatbots like ChatGPT help answer questions and create content.
- AI-powered tools like Otter.ai and Copilot provide transcripts of meetings, making work more accessible.
How AI Helps with Accessibility
AI can help break down barriers for people with disabilities. Some examples include:
- Speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools: These help people who have trouble hearing or speaking.
- AI-powered smart glasses: These glasses can read text aloud for people who have trouble seeing.
- Predictive text and language translation: These tools help people communicate in different languages.
- Adaptive learning systems: These personalize education for different learning needs.
By using these tools, workplaces and communities can create more inclusive spaces where everyone has equal access to information and opportunities.
AI for Social Good
AI is helping to solve social problems and make communities more inclusive. It plays a big role in helping people with disabilities, improving education, and supporting social projects. For example, speech-to-text and sign language recognition tools help people who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate more easily. AI-powered hearing aids can reduce background noise and make voices clearer. In schools, AI adjusts learning materials to fit different needs, and AI tutoring systems give students personalized feedback to help them learn. AI also helps analyze data to find social problems, like tracking disaster relief efforts to make sure help gets to the right places. These tools show how AI can make a real difference in people’s lives.
Ethical Challenges of AI
AI has many benefits, but it also has challenges. Some concerns include:
- Bias in data: AI learns from data, and if that data is unfair, the AI can make unfair decisions.
- Lack of transparency: Some AI systems make decisions without explaining how, which is called a “black box.” This can be a problem in areas like hiring and healthcare.
- Job loss: AI can automate tasks, which may lead to fewer jobs for people.
To address these issues, organizations should:
- Use diverse and fair data to reduce bias.
- Make AI transparent, so people understand how decisions are made.
- Keep humans involved in decision-making instead of fully relying on AI.
Using AI the Right Way
One key lesson from our workshop is that AI should help people, not replace them. At Sea Change CoLab, we use AI to:
- Make training materials more accessible.
- Improve clarity and inclusivity in writing.
- Plan events with accessibility in mind.
- Analyze data to improve decision-making.
Looking Ahead: AI for Good
AI will continue to grow and change. If we use it responsibly, it can bring many benefits while ensuring fairness and inclusion. The future of AI isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, equity, and making the world a better place.
The question now is: How can we use AI to further accessibility and social impact in our own work?
Want to learn more? Check out Learn More: AI for Accessibility and Social Impact in our Resource Hub.