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Revolutionary AI for Accessibility
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad (IIIT-A) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have created “Alt4Blind,” an AI tool designed to help blind and visually impaired individuals access chart images. This tool generates Alternative Texts (Alt-Text) for charts, enhancing accessibility by describing visual data. The project, led by PhD scholar Shahid Ali Farooqui under the guidance of Assistant Professor Mohammed Javed, aims to overcome traditional Alt-Text issues, such as oversimplification and inaccuracies.
Innovative Approach to Alt-Text Creation
Alt4Blind retrieves high-quality Alt-Texts from a database of 5,000 real images with semantically labelled Alt-Texts, ensuring accuracy and reliability. This innovative approach addresses the shortcomings of existing AI models by using deep learning to rank and retrieve similar chart images, thus providing users with reference texts that accurately describe visual and textual semantics. The tool’s user interface (UI) is designed to simplify the Alt-Text creation process, making it user-friendly for those with visual impairments.
Recognition and Future Impact
The research paper detailing Alt4Blind’s development has been accepted for presentation at the International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs in Linz, Austria. This recognition highlights the tool’s potential to significantly improve accessibility for visually impaired individuals. The project underscores the importance of AI in creating inclusive technologies that empower all users, ensuring that advancements in AI are leveraged for social good.
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*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.
