AI accessibility? Blind gamer puts ChatGPT to the test | News ...
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Blind Gamer Challenges AI for Accessibility
Japanese eSports gamer Mashiro is blind and often relies on a companion to get around Tokyo but he hopes that artificial intelligence, hailed as a promising tool for people with disabilities, can help him travel alone.
The 26-year-old "Street Fighter" player put the latest version of AI chatbot ChatGPT to the test on his way to a stadium for a recent Para eSports meet-up.
"I can't participate in an event like this without someone to rely on," he told AFP. "Also, sometimes I just want to get around by myself without speaking to other people.
So if I can use technology like ChatGPT to design my own special needs support, that would be great."
AI for Accessibility
This year, the US firm OpenAI released GPT-4o, which understands voice, text, and image commands in several languages. The generative gadget, along with others such as Google's Gemini, is part of a fast-growing field that experts say could make education, employment, and everyday services more accessible.
Following the streets' tactile paving, Masahiro Fujimoto -- who goes by his online handle Mashiro -- used his stick adorned with a small monkey mascot to find his way from the station. The journey, while challenging, showcased the potential of AI in assisting individuals with specific needs.
The Future of AI in Accessibility
AI can cater to specific needs better than "one-size-fits-all" assistive products and technologies, empowering individuals and promoting independence. People with hearing loss can use AI speech-to-text transcription, while chatbots can help format a resume for someone with learning disabilities.
However, there are challenges ahead. Japanese expert Masahide Ishiki cautioned that catching mistakes from AI, especially in real-time situations, can be tricky. The future goal for generative AI is to improve the accuracy of real-time visual recognition, coming close to the capabilities of the human eye.
Despite the challenges faced during the experiment with ChatGPT, Mashiro remains optimistic about the potential of AI in improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The journey may have been more challenging than expected, but it opened up new possibilities for future travel experiences.
Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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