Ethical and Practical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Assistive Technologies: Challenges, Opportunities, and Inclusive Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31033/IJEMR/16.3.2026.1911Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technologies, Ethical AI, Accessibility, Inclusive Design, Visual Impairment, India, AI GovernanceAbstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in assistive technologies, significantly enhancing accessibility, autonomy, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. AI-powered systems such as wearable navigation devices, speech recognition tools, smart prosthetics, and intelligent monitoring systems offer substantial benefits for visually impaired and differently-abled users. However, these advancements also introduce ethical concerns including privacy risks, algorithmic bias, transparency limitations, and accountability challenges. Practical barriers such as affordability, infrastructure limitations, and accessibility disparities further affect widespread implementation, particularly in developing nations like India. This conceptual paper critically examines the ethical and practical implications of AI in assistive technologies and emphasizes the importance of inclusive design, equitable deployment, and transparent governance frameworks. The study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable and socially responsible AI integration.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Trupti Thakur
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Research Articles in 'International Journal of Engineering and Management Research' are Open Access articles published under the Creative Commons CC BY License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This license allows you to share – copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. Adapt – remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
