Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics for Accessibility

"Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics for Accessibility" is an initiative focused on ensuring that AI technologies used to enhance accessibility are developed and implemented according to rigorous ethical standards. The project specifically addresses the challenges and responsibilities involved in deploying AI in a manner that respects and enhances the dignity and rights of individuals with disabilities.

Motivation

The rapid integration of AI in tools such as mobile apps and code generation platforms (like large language models that produce source code) raises critical ethical concerns. For instance, the accessibility of code generated by AI, and the adherence of AI-driven mobile apps to established ethical guidelines, are pressing issues. This project is motivated by the need to ensure that AI technologies do not only function efficiently but are also inclusive, equitable, and free of biases that could harm user groups, particularly those with disabilities.

Project Goals

Developing Ethical Guidelines: Create a robust ethical framework that addresses specific issues such as the fairness and accessibility of AI-generated content, including source code and mobile app functionalities.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with developers, users with disabilities, ethicists, and industry regulators to ensure that the ethical guidelines are comprehensive, realistic, and enforceable across various AI applications.

Implementation and Compliance Monitoring: Establish mechanisms for implementing these ethical guidelines and regularly monitor compliance within the AI development community, particularly in areas such as AI-generated source code and mobile app development.

Ethical Impact Assessments: Conduct impact assessments to evaluate how AI tools affect accessibility and inclusion, focusing on how AI-generated source code meets accessibility standards and how mobile apps adhere to ethical policies.

Charectrization

Our initial research into the use of AI in generating source code and mobile app development has highlighted significant gaps in accessibility and ethical compliance. These insights are foundational for understanding the scope of ethical challenges AI poses in accessibility contexts and for guiding the development of more inclusive AI tools.

Human-Powered

This project prioritizes human oversight and ethical judgment in the development and deployment of AI technologies. By integrating continuous human feedback, especially from affected communities, the project ensures that AI solutions are not only technically sound but also ethically responsible and aligned with human values.

Accessibility Layers

This project adopts a multi-layered approach to ethics in AI, ensuring that all stages of AI development—from algorithm design to user interface development—are imbued with ethical considerations. This approach aims to embed ethical standards into the very fabric of AI development processes, particularly in the creation of accessible content and functionalities.

Wajdi Aljedaani
Wajdi Aljedaani
Human-Computer Interaction & SE Researcher