Expert Insights on Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for People With Disabilities
AFB Webinar:
On February 19, 2025, AFB hosted an exclusive webinar outlining and unpacking key findings from this report. We were joined by Dr. Cynthia Bennett, Senior Research Scientist in Responsible AI at Google, who shared expert insights and promising best practices.
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In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) systems have grown in capability and versatility. As the capabilities of AI and automated systems expand, there is much excitement about the potential for autonomous vehicles, AI-enabled tools at school and in the workplace, and other innovations that could increase human efficiency. Many of these new technologies can help promote inclusion and accessibility. However, like all new technologies, AI can also pose risks for people with disabilities.
AFB researchers conducted a study to synthesize the opinions of 32 experts about where AI is headed and how it will likely impact people with disabilities. The findings emphasize the shared responsibilities of AI developers, the businesses deploying AI, people with disabilities, and policymakers in collaborating to ensure that AI expands access and inclusion. Based on the findings, we present a list of guiding principles stakeholders can follow to develop and deploy more inclusive AI systems.
Authors: Arielle M Silverman, Ph.D. | Sarahelizabeth J. Baguhn, Ph.D. | Mei-Lian Vader, M.S. | Emily M. Romero, M.A. | Chung Ho Philip So, B.A.
Funding Acknowledgment: This report was supported by a generous grant from the Delta Gamma Foundation.
We also thank the Ford Foundation for supporting American Foundation for the Blind’s efforts on AI and workplace technology to ensure equal rights for people who are blind or have low vision.
Suggested Citation: Silverman, A. M., Baguhn, S. J., Vader, M.-L., Romero, E. M., & So, C. H. P. (2025). Empowering or Excluding: Expert Insights on Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for People With Disabilities [White paper]. American Foundation for the Blind. http://www.afb.org/AIResearch
Read the report online:
- Executive Summary
- Background
- The Current Study
- Narrative and Findings
- Discussion
- Guiding Principles for More Disability-Inclusive AI
- References
- Appendix A: Delphi Methodology
- Appendix B: Participant Demographics
- Appendix C: Consensus Tables
- Appendix D: Non-Consensus Tables
Download the report:
Screen Reader Tip: The complete Empowering or Excluding Report is greater than 50 pages in length, and Acrobat, by default, will only load one page at a time for longer documents. In a longer document, you can use Ctrl + Page Up or Page Down to navigate from page to page.
Download the Empowering or Excluding Report
Download Guiding Principles For More Disability-Inclusive AI
If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Public Policy and Research Institute at research@afb.org.
