Through AI Eyes: How Technology Is Changing Accessibility

Be My Eyes is a tool designed for low-vision and blind individuals that uses live video and artificial intelligence to give users detailed descriptions of the world around them. It can also provide them with virtual help based on the context of situations they’re in. One major benefit of this app is its 24/7 availability, which enables users to receive immediate support rather than having to wait to connect with a human volunteer. This is especially valuable in stressful situations, when blind individuals require extremely quick aid. The app does provide human volunteers when that sort of connection is more helpful, necessary, or simply preferred. 

Still, there are several important concerns. Because people put a great deal of trust in these systems and may depend on them during difficult moments, users are vulnerable to AI hallucinations. An inaccurate description of an individual’s surroundings or faulty advice could place the user in a dangerous situation. Ultimately, AI could influence the individual’s perception of the world and may apply its biases, although it’s important to note that this consideration is the same when human volunteers are helping blind people.

Another interesting consideration is what occurs when blind people use this tool to gain information about their physical appearance, which is referred to as an “AI mirror.” This could have a positive impact: Loss of vision may cause a loss of sense of self, leading to a decrease in self-confidence and discomfort in social settings. A way for these individuals to “see” themselves could help them restore qualities that support their integration into society as they struggle to navigate with decreased vision. The AI mirror’s risks may outweigh the benefits, however, as the data that is biased by societal beauty standards could lead the system to output hurtful or negative comments about one’s physical appearance. This would cause blind individuals to develop harmful insecurities they didn’t previously have. If safeguards are implemented and efforts are made to reduce biases in training data, the magnitude of any negative impact could be lessened, ensuring that the positive aspects of the tool shine through. 

Connecting to this newsletter’s theme, let’s consider the role of such AI tools for low-vision and blind individuals in the context of visual art. Be My Eyes could assist users in “seeing” artwork and creating their own pieces. However, art is grounded in emotional response and individual perception; using AI to interpret it could take away from its impact and purpose.

One the one hand, AI has many applications to help people with physical disabilities better navigate the world, assisting them not only to stay safe but also to overcome mental obstacles. On the other, hallucinations and biases could have negative implications.

Anna Bulto ’26 and Skylar Li ’26

References

Be My Eyes: Accessibility technology for blind & low vision people, https://www.bemyeyes.com/. Accessed 22 May 2026.

Costabel, Milagros. “‘AI mirrors’ are changing the way blind people see themselves.” BBC, 27 January 2026, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260126-ai-mirrors-are-changing-the-way-blind-people-see-themselves. Accessed 22 May 2026.

“How AI Mirrors Are Transforming Life for People With Vision Loss.” Precision Eye Care, 28 January 2026, https://precisioneyemd.com/2026/01/28/how-ai-mirrors-are-transforming-life-for-people-with-vision-loss/. Accessed 22 May 2026.