BizBahrain Magazine Sep-Oct 2019_compressed

Expert Opinion | Information Technology
wouldn’t have to worry about paying
them either. Robots aren’t likely to forget
like humans either, so having an AI robot
to ensure that you go to the doctor, eat,
and follow your daily routine could be
especially important.
AI for the Visually Impaired
Serious strides are being made in
technology for the blind. From textto-speech
translations that describe
emojis and pictures seen on social
media to smart glasses and vision-free
communication that could quite possibly
serve as digital eyes for the blind,
technology is booming and it’s all thanks
to artificial intelligence.
It’s also worth it to mention that the
visually impaired will be able to benefit
substantially from self driving cars. Not
only can self driving cars help navigate
the streets but along with other Artificial
Intelligence technology, can determine
your location and where you want or
need to go and get you there safely.
There is also even new technology
being developed that would result in a
“smart cane”. The idea is that the cane
will include a camera, GPS, and facial
recognition software.
Exoskeletons for the Paralyzed
Artificially intelligent machines are
drastically improving for those who are
paralyzed as well. Robotic exoskeletons
are making it easier for those who are
paralyzed from the waist down to walk
and release pressure that results from
sitting. This type of technology is still in
its beginning stages so hopefully in the
near future we’ll be able to see some real
results from it.
Whether it’s to care for the disabled
or help them get around in their daily
lives Artificial Intelligence is steadily
growing in the field; it could one day very
soon make a huge difference in the lives
of those with disabilities and change the
way they get around, are cared for and
experience things in their lives - another
angle where AI can contribute to the
social good.
Enabling Independent Living at Home
Many people living with a disability
rely on others for assistance moving
around the home, cooking, or completing
other daily tasks. AI-assisted technology,
combined with advancements in the
internet of things, has opened new
possibilities in regards to accessibility.
Smart home technology is enabling
independent living with its AI
capabilities.
There are many examples of how AI
is changing the lives of many at home.
Using voice technology to tell your
home to turn on/off lights, adjust the
heat or air conditioning, or to turn off
the stove are all things that help make
independent living easier. Smart home
hubs can even learn your routine over
time and anticipate your needs, turning
on lights or other appliances as needed.
Some systems can adjust the thermostat
with weather forecast data in mind.
These examples demonstrate how AI
technology in smart home products is
removing the obstacles of daily living.
AI technology in the home is
also great in terms of safety. A smart
home can be set up to tell if a person
falls and can alert a loved one or
emergency services to help. These
safety concerns add another element to
why independent living for those with
a disability can be difficult. However,
AI makes it possible for people to
communicate, access their home, and
feel safe independently.
What’s Next?
Artificial intelligence will change
the IT field, engineering industry, big
data, and many other tech-related fields.
However, AI will also change the world
for people on a day-to-day basis. As AI
advances, it will become more accessible
to everyday people. AI assistants will
become the norm, and AI technology will
continue to be more efficient.
In terms of AI and those with
disabilities, each advancement
will be more inclusive. It will make
bigger advancements in medical
technology and help more people reach
independence in ways they could have
never imagined. What’s next for AI? More
technology and more access to it for
people with disabilities.
AI technology is changing the way
that people live in one way or another.
Those changes aren’t just convenient
- they help us to communicate,
access more things, and to live
more independently. From language
recognition software, to self-driving
cars, to smart home technology, to
the technological advancements on
the horizon, AI is helping those with
disabilities have more agency in their
lives in a profound way.
Dr. Jassim Haji
Technology Executive &
Researcher
www.facebook.com/DrJassimHaji
bh.linkedin.com/in/dr-jassimhaji-7b5885125
September-October 2019
27