Harnessing artificial intelligence for just-in-time AAC design for children with cortical visual impairment: a call for development and dialogue

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the opportunity to impact the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Specific populations may experience unique benefits of AI, including children with cortical visual impairment (CVI). Children with CVI present with a range of visual skills requiring attention when designing a supportive AAC interface. Currently, personalizing AAC interfaces for this population is often labor intensive for both clinicians and researchers. Systematic methods to modify AAC interfaces for this population are also lacking. This limits professionals in their ability to trial interface designs to determine the most effective options. Efforts to personalize AAC interfaces to reduce navigation demands, limit visual complexity, and ensure adequate symbolic representation could be bolstered with AI. A just-in-time (JIT) programming approach supported by AI may be beneficial to pursue as this technology offers the ability to make changes to elements quickly and efficiently. It is necessary to consider how AAC interfaces may leverage AI to provide children with CVI interfaces that are easy to navigate and use during interactions with communication partners. This paper will propose possible avenues for AI specifically as it relates to possible JIT programming development opportunities for children with CVI.