Use of Artificial Intelligence and its Barriers Faced by Students with Visual Impairment

Abstract

The study determined the use of artificial intelligence and its barriers faced by the students with visual impairment. The survey design was used to collect the facts of the study based descriptive methodology. All the students of universities/colleges/schools (ordinary/special education) of district Faisalabad were comprised of the population of the study. A sample of 50 students with visual impairment was selected for the study using convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire containing demography of respondents, nature of use of artificial intelligence apps/tools and barriers faced by the students with visual impairment. Researcher personally visited the schools/college and universities and collected the data by hand. It was inferred that a great number of students with visual impairment were always using the ChatGPT, Voice Activated Personal Assistant (VAPA), Text-to-Speech Engine Program and JAWS respectively. Less than half of the students with visual impairment were in little use of SeeingAI and Deep Learning technology.  Majority of the students with visual impairment were never using the Ultrasonic Censor Cane, Finger Reader, AI-Glass technology and Orcam technology respectively. The major barrier faced by the students with visual impairment in use of artificial intelligence was the slow internet services in the country. Moreover, high cost of artificial intelligence and reluctant to innovation were also considered a moderate level of barriers in the use of artificial intelligence. The study was effective in supporting the quality use of artificial intelligence and highlighting its barriers to be eliminated.