AI image generator ChatGPT has made a significant improvement in creating accurate images of people with disabilities, thanks to feedback from users like Jess Smith, who lost her left arm below the elbow. The update allows the AI to produce realistic pictures of individuals with prosthetic limbs or missing limbs.
This shift matters for millions of people with disabilities, as representation in technology is crucial to being seen and included. “AI is evolving, and when it evolves with inclusion at its core, we all benefit,” says Jess Smith. The improvement is a step forward for humanity, acknowledging the need for fair representation and reducing bias.
However, experts warn that AI’s environmental impact and lack of diversity in training data are still concerns. “Diversity in AI starts with who’s involved in training and labelling the data,” says Abran Maldonado, CEO of Create Labs. The company emphasizes the importance of cultural representation at the creation stage to avoid missing individuals with lived experiences.
While progress has been made, more work is needed to ensure that AI systems are fair and inclusive. Jess Smith shares her experience of facing awkward conversations about her disability, highlighting the need for a more open and comfortable dialogue around disability representation in technology.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj07ley3jnpo