Equitable AI Alliance

Putting Disability on the Agenda

The Alliance's logo: the words "Equitable AI Alliance" above a line connecting two dots like in a circuit board; Below, there are the words "supported by" and the logos of the Zero Project and The Seneca Trust.

An Initiative supported by the Zero Project and The Seneca Trust

Experts of the global and cross-sectoral Zero Project Network with significant experience in the development, implementation, and use of artificial intelligence, champion disability-inclusive AI at leading conferences worldwide.

Thought Leaders with significant expertise and lived experience

Liaising with conference organisers to identify and place inspiring speakers

The Equitable AI Alliance places experts with direct experience of disability and technology at the heart of influential debates about opportunities and risks related to artificial intelligence.

In line with the Zero Project’s mission of creating a world with zero barriers for persons with disabilities, the Alliance’s objective is to steer decision-making in critical developments that are poised to fundamentally change our society.

A unique pool of experts:

Cross-sectoral

Public services, business sector, and civil society

Global

The Zero Project Network spans 180 countries

Lived experience

In combination with extensive expertise

Past conferences:

  • A photo showing Bernard speaking on a panel; he is in the middle of his talk appearing to be addressing the audience

    Dec 2-4, 2024 | Wilton Park, UK

    Successfully harnessing AI in Africa

    Speaker: Bernard Chiira
    Session: “Assistive Technologies within the World Café discussions”

    The high-level event convened leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to discuss how African nations can effectively harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive socioeconomic development, and mitigate the risks of a widening digital divide. Discussions explored the transformative potential of AI and cloud technologies for Africa and asked how might AI revolutionise key sectors across the continent. 

     

  • A photo showing David on a podium, next to fellow panelists. A large screen can be seen at the back; members of the audience are visible too.

    Jan 22-24, 2025 | London, UK

    Bett UK

    Speaker: David Banes
    Session: “Building an inclusive campus culture for SEND and neurodiverse students using assistive technology”

    The panel discussion explored how leadership, policy, and campus culture need to evolve alongside EdTech advancements to support students who are neurodiverse or have disabilities.  The session provided Higher Education professionals with actionable strategies for supporting students using EdTech solutions, while also fostering broader cultural and institutional changes necessary for inclusion.
     

  • Bianca is seen talking as part of a panel at a conference; she is seated in a comfortable chair, two fellow panelists are seated next to her and watch her as she speaks

    Mar 3-6, 2025 | Barcelona, Spain

    Mobile World Congress

    Speaker: Bianca Prins 
    Session: “Double-Edged Sword: Will AI Hinder or Accelerate Diversity”
    Webinar: “How AI can become the tech industry's inclusion multiplier”

    The session dove into the use of AI and how it could potentially escalate diversity challenges such as biased systems and job displacement. On the flip side, with the power of AI, workplaces can utilise data-driven decisions for dismantling barriers to entry, democratizing access to resources, and promoting equal opportunities for underrepresented groups.
     

  • A large panel with six members is seen; they all seem to be listening attentively. Christopher is seated at the right-hand side.

    Mar 5-7, 2025 | Vienna, Austria

    Zero Project Conference

    Speakers: Christopher Patnoe, David Banes
    Session: “An Afternoon of Innovation and Impact: The ‘Concept Car’ Approach”

    Combining theory and practice, the session gave space to important conversations on the burgeoning industry of Artificial Intelligence that works for all. Panel discussions were paired with innovation pitches from promising disability-led innovators. Fellow experts discussed the ‘concept car’ approach to assistive technology development.

  • LaVonne is seen on stage, standing next to fellow panelists who are seated. She is speaking into a mic; behind her are large screen with captions, sign interpretation and a camera feed where LaVonne is front and centre.

    Mar 5-7, 2025 | Vienna, Austria

    Zero Project Conference

    Speakers: LaVonne Roberts
    Session: “An Afternoon of Innovation: AI for All”

    Combining theory and practice, the session gave space to important conversations on the burgeoning industry of Artificial Intelligence that works for all. Panel discussions were paired with innovation pitches from promising disability-led innovators. Start-ups are democratizing access to AI-powered assistive technologies. 

  • A close-up of Ioana speaking on a panel, addressing the audience

    Mar 5-7, 2025 | Vienna, Austria

    Zero Project Conference

    Speakers: Sayomdeb (Den) Mukherjee, Ioana Tanase
    Session: How to build AI that works for your organization

    Beyond the hype around Artificial Intelligence, the forum showed how DPOs, service providers, NGOs, and small organizations can develop AI tools for disability inclusion. 
     

  • a panel with four members of the advisory board seated one next to the other: Christopher, Bianca, Susan, and David

    Mar 5-7, 2025 | Vienna, Austria

    Zero Project Conference

    Speakers: David Banes, Susan Scott-Parker, Christopher Patnoe, Bianca Prins
    Session: “The workplace and AI – solutions and considerations for persons with disabilities”

    How can I effectively and thoughtfully begin utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace as a person with a disability? And what should I be aware of when doing so? This couch session sought to highlight practical opportunities for all when it comes to AI and our jobs.

Get in touch today!

A unique pool of cross-sectoral experts

“The global Zero Project Network of more than 10,000 experts from 180 countries is uniquely positioned to provide expertise at the intersection of disability inclusion, innovation, and artificial intelligence.”

David Banes, Head of the Advisory Board

Identify the right expert for your initiative

Are you organizing a conference on Artificial Intelligence? 
Connect with leading experts from the Equitable AI Alliance to ensure your project benefits from insights that champion disability inclusion in AI.

We offer tailored advice to suit your needs, with no hidden fees or charges.

Contact us here:

Portrait photo of David Banes

Contact Details

David Banes, Head of the Advisory Board

Email: david@davebanesaccess.org

Portrait photo of Anja Günther

Contact Details

Anja Günther, Operational Lead

Email: a.guenther@zeroproject.org

Advisory Board

Join the discussion on equitable AI on LinkedIn!

The “Disability-Inclusive AI" LinkedIn group is a forum to discuss artificial intelligence both as inclusive and dedicated tools for persons with disabilities.

Join the group

Headshot of David
David Banes
Access and Inclusion Services
UK
Close-up of Bernard speaking on a conference panel
Bernard Chiira
AT4D
Kenya
Headshot of Nathan Cook
Nathan Cook
Special Olympics
USA
Headshot of Deborah Gundle
Deborah Gundle
The Seneca Trust
UK
Headshot of Klaus
Klaus Höckner
Access Austria
Austria
Headshot of Ceridwen
Ceridwen Johnson
AT Scale
USA
Headshot of Mohammed
Mohammed Loutfy
G3ict
USA
Headshot of Klaus
Klaus Miesenberger
University of Linz
Austria
Headshot of Neil Milliken
Neil Milliken
Atos
UK
Headshot of Den
Sayomdeb Mukherjee
EnAble India
India
Headshot of Joseph
Joseph J. Murray
World Federation of the Deaf
USA
Photo of Christopher standing behind a lectern, delivering a speech
Christopher Patnoe
Google
UK
Headshot of Bianca
Bianca Prins
ING Bank
Netherlands
Headshot of Lavonne
Lavonne Roberts
Scott-Morgan Foundation
USA
Headshot of Rylin
Rylin Rodgers
Microsoft
USA
Headshot of Susan
Susan Scott-Parker
Business Disability International, ‘Disability Ethical AI?’
UK
Headshort of Ioana Tanase
Ioana Tanase
Microsoft
France
Headshot of Marc Workman
Marc Workman
World Blind Union
Canada

Join the discussion on equitable AI on LinkedIn!

The “Disability-Inclusive AI" LinkedIn group is a forum to discuss artificial intelligence both as inclusive and dedicated tools for persons with disabilities.

Join the group

Equitable AI Knowledge Hub

Risks and opportunities of AI:

Risks

If AI products are not inclusive by design, persons with disabilities risk exclusion from and discrimination in day-to-day life activities, workplace, education, and other spheres of life. Accessibility, inbuilt prejudice and inclusive design have to be addressed in the first stages of development, not added on later.

Moreover, failing to include persons with disabilities limits the potential for broader societal and economic gains, stifling innovation and creating barriers that negatively impact everyone by reinforcing inequality and reducing the overall diversity of ideas and perspectives that drive progress.

Opportunities

Conversely, AI holds immense potential to benefit everyone, both as inclusive and dedicated tools for persons with disabilities. 

The positive impact of disability inclusion goes far beyond accessibility, driving innovation, boosting the economy, and improving productivity for all. By creating solutions that empower individuals of all abilities, society as a whole becomes more dynamic, resilient, and prosperous.

Curated resources at the intersection of AI and disability inclusion

The Equitable AI Knowledge Hub offers evidence-based resources, perspectives and insights addressing key messages, challenges, and opportunities drawn from expertise in the field from across the globe.

This hub was created as part of the work of the Equitable AI Alliance, with the objective of bringing together expertise to unlock AI’s potential while addressing risks for persons with disabilities.

Find resources

Further resources

Disability Ethical? AI

The Disability Ethical AI? Alliance (DEAI) was founded by Susan Scott-Parker OBE at Scott-Parker International with IBM and Oxford Brookes University Institute for Ethical Artificial Intelligence. This is an informal thought leadership initiative that offers a wide range of resources on the topic of Disability Ethical AI:

Explore the initiative

 

A brief introduction to AI: "Zero Project – The Basics: Artificial Intelligence"

This is a brief, educational introduction about artificial intelligence to provide food for thought in an entertaining and accessible way. Moreover, it gives practical examples of relevance for persons with disabilities.

The Basics are produced in three different and accessible formats: Accessible pdf, audio, and videos with English captions and International Sign translation.