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Experts at COSP call to scale assistive technology and make AI accessible to persons with disabilities
Summary
Speakers at the conference spotlighted the large unmet need for assistive technology in low- and middle-income countries, announced upcoming market reports and urged states and partners to ensure that artificial intelligence boosts rather than entrenches exclusion.
Speakers at the Conference of State Parties urged stepped-up investment and market-shaping for assistive technology and stronger regulatory and transfer mechanisms to ensure artificial intelligence supports rather than excludes persons with disabilities.
Pascal Bielefeld, CEO of ATscale (hosted by UNOPS), said only about "10% of people have the assistive technology they need" in low-income countries and urged partner governments and donors to join ATscale's country work and market initiatives. ATscale said it will shortly publish a report focused on demand-side market dynamics and highlighted an assistive-technology policy brief on employment launched with the International Labour Organization to guide inclusive jobs strategies.
Speakers noted that new AI-powered assistive solutions are concentrated in developed countries and risk widening gaps: "AI can be the difference between isolation and full participation," Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said, but she warned that about "70% of AI-powered assistive technologies are concentrated in developed countries." The Global Disability Innovation Hub said innovation must be accompanied by inclusion and that partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities are central to effective design and deployment.
Delegates and partners outlined priorities including coordinated national procurement strategies, investment in demand-side finance, capacity to manage supply chains and data to measure unmet needs. Several speakers urged that OPDs be resourced and included in design and procurement to ensure culturally appropriate and locally sustainable assistive solutions.
ATscale invited member states and donors to become partners for national system-strengthening and market-shaping and said a UN General Assembly resolution on assistive technology is under consideration.
