Leveling the Playing Field With AI: Special Olympics's Mary Davis

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Dec 3, 2024

Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics since 2016, advocates for inclusion in AI development for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She emphasizes the organization’s mission to ensure these voices are heard as technology evolves. The discussion covers the transformative potential of AI in education and sports, including the Unified Champion Schools program, which fosters respect and understanding among diverse students. Davis also shares insights from a study done with Harvard, highlighting strong support for using AI to aid individuals with intellectual disabilities.

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INSIGHT

Benefits of Inclusive Design

Designing inclusive AI solutions benefits everyone, not just the target group.
Special Olympics' Unified Schools program improved learning and reduced bullying by fostering inclusion.

ANECDOTE

Copilot at Special Olympics

Mary Davis shares how Special Olympics uses AI tools like Copilot to empower their staff.
Staff with intellectual disabilities reported saving more time with these tools than average users.

INSIGHT

AI and Human Connection

AI can enhance human connection but should never replace it.
Over-reliance on AI can negatively impact important interpersonal skills and potentially automate ableism.

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Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics, wants the people she represents to “have a seat at the table” as AI evolves. In this episode of the <cite>Me, Myself, and AI</cite> podcast, Davis talks about her organization’s mission along with the growing role of AI and how it’s crucial to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities — a group often overlooked in tech discussions — are included in AI development.

Special Olympics helps people with intellectual disabilities through sports, education, and leadership programs. Its Unified Champion Schools program is an inclusive education initiative that benefits all students, both those with and without intellectual disabilities, reduces bullying, and improves academic performance.

Mary also shares the results of a study conducted by the Special Olympics and Harvard University citing strong support from parents, teachers, and the athletes themselves to use AI to support people with intellectual disabilities, especially in educational contexts. She sees AI as a powerful tool for “leveling the playing field” and describes specific applications that the Special Olympics is using for employees and athletes. Read the episode transcript here.

Guest bio:

Mary Davis has been the CEO of Special Olympics since 2016. She joined the nonprofit organization soon after college as a volunteer and coach in her native Ireland. She progressed through various leadership roles before becoming its global CEO: She was CEO of the Special Olympics World Summer Games Dublin 2003, the first such event held outside the United States; CEO of Special Olympics Ireland; and president and managing director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia. Davis was awarded a Person of the Year Award for her work on the 2003 World Summer Games and her years of service with Special Olympics Ireland.

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