Artificial intelligence is enhancing assistive technologies you can access on your mobile device.
With the Seeing AI app, users can hold their phone up to an individual, and it will audibly describe what the person looks like, including their hair color, estimated age, and emotional state. By pointing the phone towards a product, users will receive a description of the product, its expiration date, and other relevant details. The app can also read documents and recognize various structural elements, including paragraphs, headings, and lists.
The Ava app transcribes spoken words into text, providing real-time captions for face-to-face interactions. It uses AI to make this process possible, achieving roughly 90% caption accuracy. Ava offers features such as speaker identification, color-coded transcripts, and support for multiple languages, which can enhance group communication and inclusivity.
Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps users improve their writing by catching grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and style issues. In addition to writing assistance, Grammarly has generative AI tools for writing cover letters, business reports, blog posts, presentation or document outlines, and more.
This column is brought to you by ATLA (Assistive Technology of Alaska), a nonprofit, statewide resource. ATLA does not endorse these products but shares information on the types of assistive technology that may benefit Alaskans. ATLA's program, TechAbility, provides lifetime equipment loans to mental health trust beneficiaries, including individuals with acquired or traumatic brain injuries. For more information or to arrange a free demonstration, visit https://www.atlaak.org or call 907-563-2599.
