Using AI Controlled Browsers
A self-voicing application is an application that provides an aural interface without requiring a separate screen reader. Traditionally, talking web browsers had been specially created, but a more recent trend has embedded artificial intelligent (AI) capabilities into mainstream web browsers with cloud based hosting services. AI image recognition is complicated, and AI in general is still a rapidly evolving technology just in its infancy.
In 2004, Opera Software created a self-voicing and speech-recognition extension for the Windows version of their web browser, and in 2005 Charles L. Chen created FireVox, an extension that adds speech capabilities to the Mozilla Firefox web browser on Mac, Windows, or Linux. The voice browser presents information aurally, using pre-recorded audio file playback or text-to-speech synthesis software. A voice browser obtains information using speech recognition and a keypad. As speech recognition and web technologies have matured, voice applications are deployed commercially in many industries and voice browsers are supplanting traditional proprietary interactive voice response (IVR) systems.
Artificial Intelligent (AI) Compliance
However, it is important to note that accessibility AI Overlays, despite vendor claims, cannot yet replace screen reader assistive technology, as they do not have the suffisticated screen reader interface required by blind users. The AI Overlay widget browsers may offer assistance to people who have trouble typing, moving a mouse, gesturing or reading a screen. Many people with a physical disabilities have difficulty using computers and handheld devices. There are a number of reasons why you might consider using self-voicing browsers and AI Overlays on a site, butWCAG compliance should not be one.
- Overlay Fact Sheet
- The Business Accessibility Scam
- AFixt: Widgets vs. Direct Remediation: A cost analysis for SMBs
- Medium: There is no such thing as fully automated web accessibility
- Assistive Technology Blog: Redefining Boundaries, The Role of AI in Enhancing Assistive Technology and Accessibility
- Equal Entry: Real AI Solutions for Accessibility Challenges, September 2023
- Vimeo: What Are Accessibility Overlays? Heydon Pickering
- YouTube: Can we create new senses for humans? David Eagleman
- TED Talk: The disappearing computer, and a world where you can take AI everywhere, Imran Chaudhri