COVID-19, AI and our Conferences

conference seating

Much has changed for everyone since our last blog. Swami Sivasubramanian, VP of Amazon Machine Learning, AWS has written an article about the way AI and machine learning have been helping to fight COVID-19 and we can see how varied the use of this technology has been. However, we remain in a world that is having to come to terms with many different ways of working and travelling to conferences has been off the agenda for the last few months.

We have continued to work on topics covered in our papers for ICCHP that will delivered remotely, as will the one we submitted for WebSci 2020 . ISAAC 2020 has been moved to 2021, but who knows if we will get to Mexico but hopefully at least we may have some results from the linking of concepts for several free and open augmentative and alternative communication symbol sets.

As the months pass much of our work will be seen on Global Symbols with examples of how we will be using the linked symbol sets.

We are also trying to support the WCAG personalization task force in their “Requirements for Personalization Semantics” to automatically link concepts to increase understanding of web content for those who use AAC or have literacy difficulties and/or cognitive impairments.

mapping symbol sets
The future for freely available mapped sample AAC symbol sets to illustrate multilingual linking of concepts from simplified web content.

Artificial Intelligence, Accessible and Assistive Technologies

boats on lake Como by the town frontage of Lecco
Lecco, Italy by Stefano Ferrario from Pixabay 

We are chairing a Special Thematic Session at the 17th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs which will run from September 9-11, 2020 with the Pre-conference September from 7th – 8th, 2020 in Lecco, Italy.

Please come and join us at this conference and submit an extended abstract before April 1st 2020 for our special thematic session.

The aim is to encourage presenters to share their innovative thinking, provide refreshing appraisals related to the use of AI and all that goes into AI models to support those with disabilities in their use of accessible and assistive technologies.  Here are some ideas for papers but please do not be limited by this list:

  • AI and Inclusion, where machine learning and algorithms can be used to enable equity for those with disabilities
  • The pros and cons of AI, highlighting why issues can arise for those with disabilities, even with the most meticulously designed systems.
  • The use of augmentative and assistive AI in applications to support those with disabilities
  • AI supporting all that goes into making access to online digital content easier.
  • Enhanced independence using virtual assistants and robots

Contributions to a STS have to be submitted using the standard submission procedures of ICCHP.

When submitting your contribution please make sure you choose our STS under “Special Thematic Session” (Artificial Intelligence, Accessible and Assistive Technologies). Contributions to a STS are evaluated by the Programme Committee of ICCHP and Peter Heumader and myself! Do get in touch to discuss your involvement and pre-evaluation of your contribution.

Chairs


  • E.A. Draffan, ECS Accessibility Team, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering University of Southampton

  • Peter Heumader, Institute Integriert Stuideren, Johannes Kepler University Linz