Future Directions in AI-Powered Assistive Technologies: Addressing Customization, Usability, and Adaptability

Advancements in assistive technologies (ATs) have created significant opportunities for individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities to lead more independent lives. Intelligent ATs, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), now feature in various applications such as smart homes, augmentative communication devices, and smart wheelchairs. Emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and intelligent human-computer interaction (HCI) offer new modes of interaction, adding value to current AT offerings. Despite these innovations, challenges such as limited functionality, accessibility, and adaptability remain. Notably, current ATs often lack the customization required to address the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities.

This Research Topic aims to explore how AI, ML, and HCI can revolutionize assistive technologies, addressing existing limitations and enhancing autonomy for users. Specific goals include exploring how ML algorithms can improve speed and precision in communication analyses, how AI-powered devices can adjust to changing individual needs, and how to safeguard user privacy while meeting the diverse requirements of individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, the topic seeks to solve pressing issues such as training AI models with diverse data sets while respecting privacy, enhancing AI adaptability for children with developmental impairments, and creating ATs that remain responsive to evolving security concerns.

To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Novel applications of AI-powered ATs
- Innovative AI/ML algorithms for assistive technologies
- Data sets tailored for AI-based AT developments
- Human subject studies exploring specific AT requirements
- Security and usability improvements in ATs

Original research papers are invited, focusing on these themes and beyond, to contribute to the evolving field of AI-enhanced assistive technologies.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Assistive Technologies (ATs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Accessibility, Personalization, Adaptability

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.