How generative AI can transform the workplace and drive inclusivity

Generative AI is rapidly becoming a transformative force in the workplace, promising significant efficiency gains and creativity boosts.

Organisations across industries are already exploring how AI-driven technologies can streamline operations, support decision-making, and enable new ways of working. 

ChatGPT and Gemini are commonly used

A large percentage of people are using AI at work. Research among knowledge workers in Denmark in January this year found that 65% of marketers, 64% of journalists and 30% of lawyers, among others, had used AI at work. Moreover, users in this study reported that AI halved their working time for 41% of the tasks they do at work.

Another sttudy of American workers in August showed that a third of workers had used Generative AI at work in the last week. (ChatGPT being by far the most used tool in that study, followed by Google’s Gemini).

But beyond these significant operational benefits, generative AI holds immense potential for driving inclusivity—particularly in the realm of digital accessibility, where it can help create more inclusive experiences for disabled employees and customers alike.

5 older people in a row holding laptops and smilingFree webinar: Introduction to AI for older people
In our free webinar on Wednesday 20 November 2024, 1pm GMT we'll discuss:
- What AI is and what it isn't
- A demonstration of some of the most popular free AI tools: Gemini, ChatGPT, CoPilot, Perplexity - showing text and image generation
- Ideas for how you can use AI at home and at work
- What's next with AI and what does it mean?

Enhancing productivity through generative AI

Man looking at wall with post it notes stuck on Generative AI systems, such as OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s Gemini, Meta’s Llama or Anthropic’s Claude, have demonstrated incredible capabilities in producing text, code, and even creative outputs like art, music and even video. These technologies have the potential to free up human talent, allowing employees to focus on high-level work. 

In business contexts, AI is already used for automating documentation, generating reports, and providing insights into large datasets.

However, the real power of generative AI in the workplace comes when it is deployed to enhance human creativity and collaboration. For instance, AI can be integrated into collaborative platforms to offer suggestions, assist in brainstorming sessions, or generate preliminary drafts of documents or presentations. 

With AI shouldering some of the cognitive load, employees can concentrate on refining ideas and innovating. This interplay between human creativity and AI-driven suggestions will lead to more agile and adaptive workplaces.

Useful resources on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Generative AI’s role in creating inclusive code

We’ve seen that generative AI can significantly increase productivity in many areas, and creating computer code is no exception. Another study, examining the use of the original GitHub Copilot for coding, found a 26% improvement in productivity - and this was undertaken at a time when the now-obsolete GPT-3.5 was used (which is far less advanced than current coding tools). 

One of the most significant challenges in today’s tech-driven world is ensuring that digital platforms—whether they are websites, software, or mobile apps—are accessible to everyone, including disabled users. Writing inclusive code is a fundamental part of this process, and, again, generative AI can be a game-changer in this domain.

Group of professional people sitting chatting in meeting roomGenerative AI can assist developers by suggesting code that adheres to best practices in accessibility. For example, AI tools can flag areas where websites lack alternative text for images or where colour contrast may pose difficulties for visually impaired users.

As these AI systems evolve, they will become more adept at generating accessible content from the outset, reducing the need for time-consuming remediation. This means digital experiences can be inclusive from the start, opening up access to disabled employees and customers and improving overall user experiences.

The need for human input

Despite the tremendous potential of generative AI, it is important to recognise that we are far from the point where automated solutions alone can guarantee fully accessible and inclusive digital experiences. Even with an optimal combination of expert human input and automated checking tools, there is still a significant gap between technical accessibility and ‘real life’ usability for diverse users. Therefore, human input remains crucial.

By engaging with a diverse group of users, organisations can ensure that their digital products meet a wide range of accessibility needs. In particular, involving disabled users in the testing process—both in the lab and through invited customer feedback—ensures that real-world needs are addressed.

AI will increasingly support this process by flagging potential accessibility issues early in development, but humans, especially those with lived experiences of disability, will remain integral to validating whether these solutions truly work in practice.

Until AI becomes sophisticated enough to handle these nuances entirely, collaboration between technology and human expertise is essential.

How AI will help streamline accessibility

As generative AI becomes more sophisticated, it will play a larger role in ensuring digital accessibility. In the near(ish)future, we can expect AI tools to autonomously identify and fix an increasing number of accessibility issues, continuously learning from human feedback to improve their recommendations. These tools will integrate seamlessly into the development process, enabling businesses to create inclusive digital experiences more efficiently.

AI will also reduce the cognitive load on developers by offering real-time feedback on code and content during the design and development stages. For instance, an AI tool integrated into a web development platform like VS Code could automatically analyse content for readability, check for compliance with accessibility standards such as WCAG, or offer alternative suggestions for interactive elements that are more user-friendly for those with disabilities.

While generative AI is not a silver bullet, it has the potential to bridge some of the gaps in accessibility. Organisations that embrace these technologies today will be better positioned to create more inclusive digital products and services in the future.

The importance of expertise in digital accessibility

While AI can assist in the quest for digital inclusion, it is critical for businesses to have expert guidance in this area. Accessibility is an ongoing process, and organisations need to be proactive in ensuring their digital platforms meet the needs of all users.

AbilityNet provides expert support to businesses seeking to improve their digital offerings for disabled employees and customers. From accessibility audits to truly diverse usability and accessibility testing, we can help organisations navigate the complexities of creating inclusive digital environments. 

As generative AI continues to evolve, it will increasingly play a role in supporting inclusive design and development. However, until AI reaches a level where it can handle these tasks autonomously, businesses will need to rely on a combination of AI-driven tools and human expertise to create truly accessible and inclusive digital products.

By combining human expertise with the latest in AI technologies, your company can ensure that accessibility is not only a legal requirement but also a competitive advantage.

Robin Christopherson is AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion and a leading global expert in AI and disability.

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