At a time when the ‘AI for Good’ initiative is gaining global prominence, linking artificial intelligence to solving pressing societal problems, local innovation takes on particular importance. The UN’s ‘AI for Good’ programme has already been supporting projects using artificial intelligence to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals since 2017, including making technology more accessible to people with disabilities. The latest development from the Opole University of Technology, where a young engineer has created an app that can democratise access to assistive technology, fits perfectly into this global trend.
While most AI for Good projects focus on solutions that require advanced infrastructure and significant funding, the Opole innovation shows that breakthrough solutions can be both effective and affordable. In a world where commercial eye-tracking systems can cost thousands of zloty, this approach could mean a real revolution in access to assistive technology.
Engineer Anna Mrozek, a graduate of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Automation and Computer Science, has developed a ground-breaking application that allows a computer keyboard to be controlled by eye movement [1]. The inspiration for this innovative solution came from her collaboration with her sister-optometrist, who in her professional practice regularly encountered the barriers that the high cost of assistive technology poses to people who need support [1].
The principle of the application is based on using a standard webcam to track the reflection of light in the user’s eye [1]. The system processes this data in real time, calculating the angle of gaze and predicting the user’s intention to move around the screen. Importantly, the only technical requirement is adequate illumination of the user’s face, which can be provided by a simple desk lamp.
The project was highly praised in academia, winning first place in the department’s thesis competition. Professor Andrzej Waindok, the thesis supervisor, emphasises not only its scientific value, but above all its practical potential in medical and social applications.
The project from the Opole University of Technology is an excellent example of how young scientists can combine technological innovation with social sensitivity. In a world where technological development often focuses on commercial solutions, such initiatives remind us of the true power of innovation – the ability to change people’s lives for the better.
The success of engineer Anna Mrozek also shows that the future of assistive technology does not have to involve high costs or complex infrastructure. Sometimes the simplest solutions, based on commonly available tools, can bring about the greatest social change. It is projects like these, combining practicality with accessibility, that pave the way for a more inclusive digital future, where everyone, regardless of their limitations or financial capabilities, can fully participate in the digital revolution.
As the example from Opole shows, the future of assistive technologies does not lie solely in the hands of large corporations or advanced research laboratories. It lies in the creativity and empathy of young engineers who are able to perceive real social needs and respond to them with innovative but affordable solutions. It is projects like these that best realise the idea of ‘AI for Good’, proving that technology can and should serve everyone, without exception.
Bibliography:
[1] An app to support people with disabilities, Opole University of Technology, https://weaii.po.edu.pl/aplikacja-ktora-wesprze-osoby-z-niepelnosprawnosciami/
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