Inclusion of Persons with Disability in AI Innovation

At the recent United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Meeting on Artificial Intelligence, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL), delivered a powerful call to action on the need for inclusive AI innovation. Addressing a global audience at the UN Headquarters in New York, Prof. Kponyo emphasized that the future of AI must be inclusive, ethical, and aligned with the needs of all people, especially persons with disabilities (PWDs).

A key highlight of his intervention was the urgent need to address the exclusion of PWDs in AI development. Prof. Kponyo noted that globally, over 1.2 billion people, approximately 15% of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. Despite this significant demographic, most AI solutions today fail to consider their unique needs. This neglect, he warned, risks deepening existing inequalities and undermining the core Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) principle of “leaving no one behind.”

“Persons with disabilities should not be sidelined but actively involved in creating AI solutions,” Prof. Kponyo stated. His message was clear that inclusion must go beyond policy and must be embedded in the design and development processes of technology. He advocated for the adoption of inclusive design frameworks that ensure AI systems are accessible, relevant, and beneficial to all members of society, including those who are often marginalised.

Prof. Kponyo also stressed that stakeholder engagement, particularly with underrepresented groups like PWDs, must begin at the earliest stages of AI development. “You cannot design solutions in isolation and expect adoption,” he cautioned. “AI must be co-developed with the communities it serves.” This approach, he explained, ensures that the resulting technologies are not only technically sound but also socially impactful and widely embraced.

To further support responsible and inclusive AI, Prof. Kponyo highlighted the work of RAIL KNUST and its collaboration with other AI4D Labs across Africa in developing FACETS, which is a framework for quantitatively measuring responsible AI. This initiative aims to embed ethical, transparent, and inclusive practices in AI systems from the ground up.

Prof. Kponyo’s advocacy at the UN ECOSOC Special Meeting reflects the core mission of RAIL, which is to ensure that artificial intelligence is developed not only with technical excellence but with humanity at its heart. His powerful remarks serve as a timely reminder that inclusive innovation is not optional but essential to building a future where technology uplifts every individual, regardless of ability.