Affective AI and diverse AI are rapidly evolving fields that are crucial for creating AI systems that are fair, trustworthy, and beneficial to a wide range of users.
Advancements in AI have led to the development of systems that can recognize, predict, and interact with human emotions, with techniques such as machine learning, facial recognition, and biologically inspired cognitive architectures being used.
Research suggests that diverse teams are more likely to recognize and address biases in AI systems, and involving marginalized communities in AI development can increase the technology’s fairness and trustworthiness.
AI is being integrated into educational settings to enhance pedagogical strategies through emotion assessment, creating adaptive learning environments that cater to individual emotional needs, improving learning outcomes.
AI is used in healthcare to detect diseases, analyze chronic conditions, and support individuals with cognitive diversity, such as autism and other neurodiverse conditions, with assistive technologies like social robotics, wearable devices, and specialized platforms.
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming ubiquitous in customer service, responding to a significant portion of customer interactions and making lives easier for users.
Ensuring AI systems are free from bias and transparent in their decision-making processes is a significant challenge, requiring “disability-centred” auditing approaches to eliminate discriminatory influences, protecting user privacy and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
Existing policy frameworks lack specifications related to sensory and neurodiversity, highlighting the need for more inclusive and specific policies to support the development and adoption of assistive technologies.
Future research should focus on refining AI models for emotion recognition and prediction, ensuring cross-cultural validity and addressing ethical considerations.
AI advancements in healthcare and assistive technologies can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, contributing to global health and accessibility goals.