Disability Bias & New Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence

Bias in artificial intelligence (AI) systems can cause discrimination against marginalized groups, including people with disabilities. Like other challenges with digital accessibility, this discrimination is most often unintentional and due to a lack of training and awareness of how to build inclusive systems. This paper has two main objectives: 1) provide an overview of AI systems and machine learning, including disability bias, for accessibility professionals and related non-development roles; and 2) discuss methods for building accessible AI systems inclusively to mitigate bias. An overview of current worldwide progress on establishing legal protection against AI bias is provided, with recommendations on strengthening laws to protect people with disabilities from discrimination by AI systems. When built accessibly, AI systems can promote fairness and enhance the lives of everyone, in unprecedented ways.