Schools in the US are exploring how to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to assist students with disabilities, particularly those facing challenges in vision, speech, language, and hearing.
The Department of Education emphasizes the importance of providing advanced technology to these students, encouraging schools to assess whether tools like text-to-speech and alternative communication devices are necessary.
Concerns remain about ensuring that students using these technologies continue to learn effectively.
AI can summarize thoughts, analyze complex texts, and even translate works like Shakespeare into modern English. Computer-generated voices are also aiding students with visual impairments or dyslexia in reading.
Ben Snyder, a 14-year-old from Larchmont, New York, who has recently been diagnosed with learning difficulties, increasingly relies on AI for his assignments. He stated, "Sometimes in math, my teachers explain a problem, but it makes no sense. If I input the problem into AI, it gives me different ways to understand it."
Snyder appreciates a program called Question AI, which helped him draft a book report outline in 15 minutes, a task that would usually take him an hour and a half. However, he believes using AI to write an entire report crosses a line, calling it "cheating."
Schools are striving to balance the benefits of technology with the risk of hindering skill development for students.
Some experts argue that AI can level the playing field for students with disabilities. Paul Sanft, director of a Minnesota center where families can test assistive technology, noted, "There will certainly be people who misuse these tools. But I don't think that's the main concern for individuals with disabilities who are just trying to achieve what they couldn't before."