The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued an exploratory opinion on the impact of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for persons with disabilities. The opinion aims to assess the effects of these developments, both in terms of facilitating the inclusion of people with disabilities, but also as a potential source of discrimination, for example through the use of AI algorithms in the area of employee assessment and recruitment.
In the opinion, the EESC:
• Notes that it is crucial to include persons with disabilities throughout the process of designing, developing, assessing and implementing new technologies and AI-based applications
• Invites Member States and the EU to audit and evaluate to what extent AI applications are inclusive in critical fields
• Underlines the importance of ensuring the general accessibility of services and goods that apply new technologies and AI based solutions
• Believes that Member States must ensure that the opportunities generated by new technological developments and AI applications are translated by employers into accessibility improvements and reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities
• Recommends increased public expenditure on research and development of AI based solutions for accessibility and technological assistance
• Urges Member States to implement and increase the existing programmes on digital skilling for persons with disabilities
• Highlights the need to promote reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities in the workplace, including in public and private recruitment processes.
The full text of the opinion is available at: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/including-persons-disabilities-development-new-technologies-and-ai-possibilities-challenges-risks-and-opportunities
