Microsoft has already committed $25 million over the next five years on AI for accessibility programs to aid people with disabilities.
Earlier, a “Seeing AI” free app, which is being experimented by Microsoft to help people navigate using computer vision and narration, was introduced by Nadella at a prior Build conference. For deaf users, Microsoft’s translation tool provides real-time conversation captioning.
Apple (AAPL) and Google have been spending years on accessibility, utilizing AI for people with disabilities. As 90% of the computers are powered by Windows, Microsoft is focusing on AI to push the technology forward and connect it to various programs.
The AI technology has both benefits and potential dangers. The dangers were forewarned by Tesla (TSLA) chief Elon Musk, who had predicted that it could spark World War III. On the other hand, Facebook (FB) chief Mark Zuckerberg has said that AI would be used to sort photos, weed out bad behavior and to test apps. Microsoft is hoping to work on the technology’s positive side for a social cause, that also holds bigger market potential.