AI Powered Universal Design Reveals Unseen Possibilities

Universal design, the practice of creating products and environments accessible to all people regardless of age, disability or other factors, is evolving in exciting new ways thanks to AI. As Richard Whitehall of Smart Design explains, AI is enabling more personalized, adaptive experiences that seamlessly support diverse needs without stigma.

AI is advancing universal design in several key ways. It enables seamless adaptability, automatically detecting needs and adapting interfaces without requiring manual adjustments. For instance, a phone might notice squinting and increase font size accordingly. AI-powered devices like smart glasses can reveal the invisible, providing audio descriptions of surroundings to make the visual world more accessible to those with low vision, while also benefiting anyone by surfacing hidden information about objects and environments.

Personalized assistance is another area where AI shines, with AI companions and agents offering tailored support for tasks, learning, and daily living based on individual needs and preferences. By integrating AI with sensors, cameras, and other inputs, we can create enhanced sensory experiences that go beyond visual and touch interfaces. AI can also bridge situational limitations, compensating for temporary constraints like occupied hands by enabling voice control or anticipating needs.

The key to success lies in designing AI-powered products that feel natural and non-stigmatizing. Richard points to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses as an example, which achieve this by adhering to familiar, stylish designs while incorporating powerful AI capabilities.

Looking ahead, AI has immense potential to make invisible knowledge accessible to all. This could include understanding product origins and sustainability, accessing historical information about places, or gaining expert knowledge on demand. AI can surface contextual insights to enrich how we perceive and interact with the world.

However, this future also brings challenges around privacy, social development, and our relationship with AI. Designers must thoughtfully consider how to create AI experiences that enhance rather than replace human connections and capabilities.

Ultimately, AI offers an opportunity to dramatically expand the scope of universal design, moving beyond physical accommodations to create cognitively and informationally inclusive environments that benefit everyone. By embracing human-centered design principles and pushing AI in more adaptive, contextual directions, we can build a world of seamless accessibility and augmented understanding for all.

chad@vurvey.co and snagle@vurvey.co