Artifical Intelligence

Utilizing AI for disability inclusion

The Zero Project at COSP17

Watch the side event “Inclusive Employment meets Artificial Intelligence” online:

UN WEB TV

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:

Zero Project AI Assistant in collaboration with Microsoft

Leveraging the Zero Project's unique treasure trove of data

AI experts from the global Zero Project Network

Insights shared at the Zero Project Conference and at events globally

AI - The Basics

Publication: a brief educational introduction in print, audio, and video

Zero Project AI Assistant

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.

“Redefining accessibility and inclusion with AI”, 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.

More information on projects and initiatives will be released soon.

Are you interested in using the Zero Project's data for AI applications?

Get in touch

Zero Project Network: Experts on AI and disability inclusion

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

A unique global and cross-sectoral network

Over the past decade, Zero Project has established a global network of 10,000+ experts, policy makers, corporates, academics, and other persons with and without disabilities who are advancing the implementation of the CRPD. This network contributes to the Zero Project’s work and continues to grow, fostering a global community for disability inclusion.

Sharing insights and expertise at events globally

Experts of the Zero Project Network have been sharing their knowledge on AI at the Zero Project Conference, and other events globally. Explore these videos to gain insights on the risks and potential, as well as on innovative solutions that use Artificial Intelligence:

  • #COSP17

    An introduction to AI in the context of Inclusive Employment

    With David Banes, Hector Minto, Susan Scott-Parker, and Georg Kapsch

  • #ZeroCon24

    Forum on Artificial Intelligence and disability inclusion

    David Banes, Christopher Patnoe, Michael Lorz, Hector Minto, Alyson Pace, Susan Sscott-Parker,…

  • #ZeroCon22

    Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Urban Sidewalks

    James Thurston, Anat Caspi, Hector Minto, and Katherine Michelle Chacón Martínez

AI-based and inclusive solutions

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

AI - The Basics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technological simulation of human intelligence, that seeks to imitate the way in which we humans do things and think. In relation to persons with disabilities many questions arise: What can AI do for us? Are we replacing old barriers with new ones? Where does it affect inclusion and accessibility already? We at the Zero Project believe that AI is here to stay: find out why.

The Basics - Artificial Intelligence

The Zero Project presents The Basics, a series of brief educational introductions in print, video and audio. Loaded with practical examples, The Basics delivers food for thought in an entertaining and accessible style.

Artificial intelligence is here to stay. It promises new benefits to people with disabilities, but can also be a new kind of barrier. In this episode of Zero Project series, the Basics, renowned emerging technology expert David Banes explains how AI can reduce barriers.