Louise Plunkett from Norwich has had her life revolutionized by AI tools, due to her Stargardt disease, a genetic condition causing vision loss. She uses digital assistants like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri for tasks such as setting alarms, but finds the Be My AI app particularly helpful. The app uses ChatGPT to describe images aloud, aiding Ms. Plunkett in identifying locations like public restrooms and reading food labels or letters, without needing immediate human assistance. However, she notes that AI descriptions can sometimes provide unnecessary details. Be My AI, developed by Danish firm Be My Eyes, initially connected visually impaired users with human volunteers who described their surroundings via a phone call.

Now, some of its 600, 000 users prefer the AI for tasks like interpreting WhatsApp images. Jesper Hvirring Henriksen, CTO of Be My Eyes, anticipates the app's future development might include live video streaming to describe users’ environments in real-time. While users can access Be My Eyes for free, the company earns revenue through a paid directory service that companies use to offer information to the blind community. Despite AI’s growing utility, Henrikson emphasizes the ongoing need for human connection, noting that the elderly, who often experience vision loss, may find the technology complex. Other innovative tools for the visually impaired include the WeWalk, an AI-powered cane that detects obstacles and provides navigation and public transport updates. This cane connects to a smartphone app, assisting users in finding spots of interest, such as nearby cafés, in over 3, 000 cities. Product manager Gamze Sofuoğlu, who uses the cane herself, highlights its role in providing independence for blind and low-vision individuals.