During Microsoft’s Ability Summit 2024, the company unveiled the Seeing AI mobile app, which is now available on Android and iOS, powered by advanced AI technology. This innovative app aims to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly the visually impaired and blind, by using AI to help them perceive and comprehend the world around them. By audibly describing surroundings, identifying products, providing photo descriptions, and more, Seeing AI enhances the daily lives of those with low vision.
Currently this app is accessible in 33 languages, Microsoft further plans to expand Seeing AI to 36 languages by the end of 2024. I recently installed the Seeing AI app (Android / iOS – Free) on my Android smartphone, and it offers a range of features including barcode-based product identification, currency recognition, person identification, and document reading, all designed to enhance accessibility and independence.
One standout feature of the Seeing AI app is its ability to scan and identify faces in photos, allowing users to assign names to individuals. When the app encounters a scanned face, it reads aloud the person’s name, offering invaluable assistance to visually impaired individuals. This feature sets it apart from Google’s Lookout app (Free), which lacks a similar option for people identification.
Furthermore, unlike some apps that require downloading country-specific data for certain features, Seeing AI does not require this step, enhancing its convenience. The app also offers color identification, handwritten text reading, and image sharing for descriptions. While testing the app’s handwritten text feature, I found it to be mostly accurate with only minor issues.
An advantage of the Seeing AI app is its offline functionality, excluding features like scene detection and document reading. Microsoft’s commitment to leveraging AI for the benefit of low-vision users is commendable, highlighting the potential of AI in enhancing accessibility alongside applications like AI chatbots.
0 Comments