On Point | Podcast How AI tools are transforming the lives of people with disabilities
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Jul 9, 2025 Kyle Keene, a Senior Lecturer in Assistive Technologies and a blind user of these innovations, dives into the transformative impact of AI on the lives of people with disabilities. He shares inspiring stories, including a politician using AI voice cloning to regain her voice. The discussion covers how AI enhances spatial awareness, the importance of ethical considerations in tech development, and the evolution of assistive technologies that empower individuals to navigate the world with greater independence.
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AI Restores Lost Speech
- Representative Jennifer Wexton's journey shows AI restoring lost speech through voice cloning technology.
- Using AI, she spoke with her original voice despite disease progression that affected her ability to speak.
Adapting to Vision Loss Early
- Kyle Keene adapted to progressive blindness with assistive tech like magnifiers and white canes.
- Early support helped maintain his function despite vision loss starting in elementary school.
Rethinking What 'Seeing' Means
- Vision is multifaceted; people use sound and other senses for spatial understanding.
- Shared experiences of 'seeing' are built on diverse sensory interpretations, not just sight.