Artifical Intelligence

Utilizing AI for disability inclusion

Join the AI discussion on LinkedIn:

‘Disability-Inclusive AI’ 

A public LinkedIn group to discuss artificial intelligence both as inclusive and dedicated tools for persons with disabilities. 

Join today

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been at the forefront of technological developments. The Zero Project is engaging with this topic in various ways, aware of both the risks and the potential to utilize AI for creating a world with zero barriers.

Tools, solutions, and a global network of experts

In the context of Artificial Intelligence, the Zero Project is focusing on the following areas:

Equitable AI Knowledge Hub

Curated resources at the intersection of AI innovation and Disability Inclusion from across the globe

Zero Project AI Assistant in collaboration with Microsoft

Leveraging the Zero Project's unique treasure trove of data

Equitable AI Alliance

AI experts from the global Zero Project Network share insights at events globally

Join the AI discussion on LinkedIn:

‘Disability-Inclusive AI’ 

A public LinkedIn group to discuss artificial intelligence both as inclusive and dedicated tools for persons with disabilities. 

Join today

Zero Project AI Assistant


“Redefining accessibility and inclusion with AI"

Across the EU, disabled people are advocating for more inclusive policy, such as the Zero Project initiative emerging from Austria and supported by Microsoft. It uses AI to make the world’s accessibility best practices and innovations readily available to policymakers, tech innovators, and the disability community. It contains vast amounts of research on accessibility innovation and disability policies in an easily accessible and findable format, helping to promote successes and learnings across different regions.

Microsoft EU Policy Blog

Read the blog post


 

Supporting global decision-makers and opinion leaders

With the Zero Project AI Assistant, the Zero Project's vision is to support global decision-makers and opinion leaders in innovating and scaling disability-inclusive solutions to implement the CRPD. 

The Zero Project AI Assistant opens the wealth of knowledge on successful innovating and scaling processes to everyone – a wealth developed by the Zero Project Network since 2013 accessible as a public resource. 

In partnerships, we will constantly develop new tools supporting decision-making and collaboration globally and for all sectors of society.

 

A unique treasure trove of data

In collaboration with Microsoft, the Zero Project is exploring different routes to using its data: with more than 4,000 nominated and 800 awarded solutions between 2013 and 2023, it offers a comprehensive body of research that captures innovation for disability inclusion on a global scale.

The Zero Project’s database goes far beyond numbers and includes thousands of presentations, video recordings, and photos that capture innovative solutions and projects from around the world. This data can also be leveraged via AI technologies to implement entirely new applications, for instance, to:

  • develop new products and services,
  • scale an innovation,
  • fund innovations,
  • write inclusive curricula for schools or trainings, and create improved rulebooks for inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.

If you would like to get involved in the development of the Zero Project AI Assistant, or if you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch:

Contact us

 

Sharing good practices: "How to build AI that works for your organization" at the Zero Project Conference 2025

This forum at the Zero Project Conference 2025 (March 5-7, 2025) went beyond the hype around Artificial Intelligence and showed how DPOs, service providers, NGOs, and small organizations can develop AI tools for disability inclusion. Watch Michael Fembek, CEO of the Zero Project, and engineer Christopher Mierbach present their experiences regarding the development of the Zero Project AI Assistant. 

Watch on YouTube


 

Download the Zero Project AI Assistant documentation

From its inception to the latest rounds of testing, this AI tool was developed with a focus on inclusivity, collaboration, and responsible AI practices. 

Therefore, the Zero Project has compiled documentation that captures the detailed journey of how the Zero Project Team, along with global stakeholders, developed an AI-powered assistant that addresses the needs of accessibility advocates, researchers, and policymakers while maintaining high ethical standards:

Download the PDF

Equitable AI Alliance

Are you seeking experts at the intersection of AI and Disability Inclusion?

The Zero Project can assist in connecting you with experts of the global and cross-sectoral Zero Project Network.

Get in touch

Putting Disability on the Agenda

The Alliance is 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.

Learn more


 

Examples of 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.
     

AI-based and inclusive solutions

Here are just some examples of Zero Project Awardees from different countries and sectors.