Why neurodivergent perspectives are essential in AI development

Technology should be built for and serve all, so how do we make sure future AI models are accessible and unbiased if neurodivergent representation isn’t considered? It all starts at the development stage. 

AI accessibility: no longer a novelty

The good news is we aren’t starting from scratch, but there’s still a long way to go before accessibility is synonymous with the development of ethical and inclusive AI. In the last few years, we’ve seen conscious efforts from companies like Apple and Google, who’ve created and delivered mobile offerings like Apple’s Live Speech and Eye Tracking, as well as Google’s Guided Frame and Lookout. But accessibility in tech is still viewed as a niche offering. 

That’s why the Understood Assistant was developed and trained by experts, who focus on those with learning and thinking differences, with the goal to make our vast content library more accessible. It helps by including a voice-to-text feature to ask questions, for instance, and its clear, concise responses are written at an eighth-grade reading level.