Investigating the Impact of AI on Accessibility and Inclusivity in Higher Education in the United Arab Emirates

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world of higher education. From personalized learning experiences to automated administrative tasks, AI has the potential to revolutionize the way students learn and educators teach. However, it is important to consider the impact of AI on accessibility and inclusivity in higher education. This article investigates the current state of accessibility and inclusivity in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and explores how AI can be used to improve the learning experience for all students, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.

Background

The UAE has made significant progress in improving accessibility and inclusivity in higher education. However, there are still a number of challenges that need to be addressed. For example, students with disabilities often face barriers to accessing course materials, participating in class discussions, and taking exams. Additionally, students from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have the same opportunities to succeed in higher education as their more affluent peers.

AI has the potential to address many of these challenges. For example, AI-powered tools can be used to:

• Create accessible course materials, such as transcripts of lectures and videos with closed captions.
• Provide real-time assistance to students with disabilities, such as sign language interpretation and captioning.
• Personalize learning experiences based on each student's individual needs and preferences.
• Identify and address barriers to success for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

AI Applications For Accessibility And Inclusivity

There are a number of specific ways in which AI can be used to improve accessibility and inclusivity in higher education. Some of the most promising applications include:

• Natural language processing (NLP) can be used to create accessible course materials, such as transcripts of lectures and videos with closed captions. NLP can also be used to develop chatbots that can provide real-time assistance to students with disabilities.
• Machine learning (ML) can be used to personalize learning experiences based on each student's individual needs and preferences. ML algorithms can track student progress and identify areas where they need additional support. They can also recommend resources and activities that are tailored to each student's learning style.
• Computer vision (CV) can be used to develop assistive technologies for students with disabilities. For example, CV can be used to develop systems that can track eye movements and facial expressions, which can be used to control computers and other devices.

Challenges And Opportunities

While AI has the potential to significantly improve accessibility and inclusivity in higher education, there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed. These challenges include:

• Cost: AI technologies can be expensive to develop and implement.
• Bias: AI algorithms can be biased against certain groups of people, such as students with disabilities or students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Ethical considerations: The use of AI in higher education raises a number of ethical concerns, such as the potential for AI to be used to monitor and track students.

Despite these challenges, AI presents a number of opportunities for creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students. By addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities, higher education institutions in the UAE can use AI to create a more accessible and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Case Studies

A number of universities in the UAE are already using AI to improve accessibility and inclusivity. For example, Zayed University has developed an AI-powered chatbot that provides real-time assistance to students with disabilities. The chatbot can answer questions about course materials, assignments, and exams. It can also provide emotional support and guidance to students who are struggling with their studies.

Another example is the American University of Sharjah, which has developed an AI-powered system that can track student progress and identify students who are at risk of dropping out. The system can then provide targeted interventions to help these students succeed. These are just a few examples of how AI is being used to improve accessibility and inclusivity in higher education in the UAE. As AI technologies continue to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective ways to use AI to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

• Higher education institutions in the UAE should invest in AI technologies to improve accessibility and inclusivity.
• Policymakers should develop policies and regulations that support the use of AI in higher education.
• Educators should be trained on how to use AI technologies effectively in the classroom.
• Technology providers should develop AI technologies that are specifically designed for use in higher education.
• Researchers should continue to study the impact of AI on accessibility and inclusivity in higher education.

AI has the potential to revolutionize the way students learn and educators teach. However, it is important to consider the impact of AI on accessibility and inclusivity in higher education. By addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities, higher education institutions in the UAE can use AI to create a more accessible and inclusive learning environment for all students.