Will ChatGPT threaten the future of the digital accessibility field?

Let me start by asking a question that is on the minds of a lot of people right now. Do you believe that you (ChatGPT) will threaten the future of the digital accessibility field?

As a large language model, my primary purpose is to assist users in generating human-like text based on the input provided to me. I do not have the ability to impact the future of the field of digital accessibility or any other field.

It is unlikely that ChatGPT, or any other specific natural language processing model, will have a significant impact on the field of digital accessibility. Digital accessibility refers to the practice of making digital products and services, such as websites and mobile applications, accessible to people with disabilities. This includes designing and developing products in a way that they can be used by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.

The future of the field of digital accessibility will be shaped by a variety of factors, including advances in technology, changes in laws and regulations, and shifts in societal attitudes towards accessibility. It is important for professionals in this field to stay current with developments in these areas and to continue to work towards creating more inclusive and accessible digital products and services. However, the success or failure of a particular natural language processing model is unlikely to be a major determining factor.

Why do you think that natural language processing models like ChatGPT are unlikely to be a determining factor in the future of digital accessibility?

There are several reasons why I think it is unlikely that ChatGPT or any other specific natural language processing model would be a determining factor in the future of digital accessibility.

First, digital accessibility is a multifaceted field that encompasses a wide range of technologies, design principles, and best practices. While natural language processing models can certainly play a role in making digital products more accessible to people with disabilities, they are just one part of the larger ecosystem of tools and strategies used to achieve this goal.

Second, the field of digital accessibility is constantly evolving, and there are always new technologies and approaches being developed to improve accessibility. This means that even if ChatGPT or a similar model were to become widely used, it is likely that it would eventually be replaced by newer, more advanced technologies as they are developed.

Finally, the success or failure of a particular natural language processing model is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall direction of the field of digital accessibility. There are many other factors that will shape the future of digital accessibility, such as changes in laws and regulations, advances in assistive technologies, and shifts in societal attitudes towards accessibility.

You mentioned shifts in societal attitudes towards accessibility. Can you expand on that and share your thoughts as to what some of those shifts could look like in the future?

There are many factors that can shape societal attitudes towards accessibility, including changes in laws and regulations, advances in assistive technologies, and increased awareness and understanding of the needs and experiences of people with disabilities.

One potential shift in societal attitudes towards accessibility could be an increased focus on the social and economic benefits of accessibility. As more and more people with disabilities are able to fully participate in society and the economy, the value of accessibility may become more apparent to a wider audience.

Another potential shift could be an increased recognition of the importance of accessibility in promoting social justice and equality. By removing barriers and enabling people with disabilities to fully participate in society, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.

Finally, there may be a shift towards a more proactive and preventative approach to accessibility. Rather than waiting for issues to arise and then trying to fix them after the fact, there may be a greater emphasis on designing and developing products and services with accessibility in mind from the very beginning.

It is difficult to predict exactly how societal attitudes towards accessibility will evolve in the future, but it is clear that continued progress and advancements in this area are essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Interesting. Given how the rise of natural language processing models like ChatGPT and others makes access to information so much easier than ever before, and given the limited data sets with which these tools operate, do you think there might be risks of levelling down commonly agreed upon knowledge in the accessibility field?

While it is true that natural language processing models like ChatGPT can make it easier to access information, it is important to recognize that these models are not a substitute for expert knowledge and understanding in the field of accessibility. Natural language processing models are limited by the data they are trained on and the algorithms they use, and they may not always produce accurate or reliable information.

In order to ensure that the knowledge and understanding of accessibility professionals remains up-to-date and comprehensive, it is important for professionals to continue to engage with a wide range of sources and to consult with experts in the field. This can include staying current with research and guidelines, participating in professional development opportunities, and engaging with peers and other professionals through professional networks and communities.

By relying on a diverse range of sources and leveraging the expertise of others, accessibility professionals can ensure that their knowledge and understanding remains robust and well-informed.

But again, considering their limited data sets, do you believe that aspiring accessibility professionals might run the risk of getting confused, misled, or even misinformed by ChatGPT and other natural language processing models as they use these services to deepen their own expertise around digital accessibility?

As with any source of information, it is important for aspiring accessibility professionals to critically evaluate the quality and accuracy of the information they are using, regardless of whether it comes from a natural language processing model or any other source.

It is true that natural language processing models are trained on large data sets, but the quality and relevance of that data can vary. Some models may be trained on data sets that are more comprehensive and diverse, while others may be trained on data sets that are more limited in scope or that contain biases or errors. This can affect the accuracy and reliability of the information generated by the model.

Therefore, it is important for aspiring accessibility professionals to be aware of the limitations of natural language processing models and to use them as one tool among many in their professional development. It is also important to consult with experts in the field, review relevant research and guidelines, and seek out multiple sources of information in order to get a well-rounded understanding of digital accessibility.

What would be your recommendations for experts in this field to best utilize natural language processing models to further their knowledge in this space, while avoiding to muddy the waters with false or inaccurate information?

There are several ways that accessibility professionals can utilize natural language processing models like ChatGPT to further their knowledge and advance in their field:

Using natural language processing models to help automate tasks and free up time for more complex, value-added work. For example, a natural language processing model could be used to automatically generate transcripts of audio content. This could be particularly useful for large volumes of audio, such as lecture recordings or webinars, where it would be time-consuming for a human to generate transcripts manually and could allow accessibility professionals to focus on reviewing and ensuring the accuracy of those transcripts.

Using natural language processing models to generate ideas and insights that can help inform the design and development of accessible products and services. For example, a natural language processing model could be used to analyze user feedback and identify common challenges and needs of users with disabilities, trained on a dataset of customer support emails from users with disabilities, and could be used to identify patterns in the types of issues and needs that are most frequently raised by these users.

Using natural language processing models to test and evaluate the accessibility of digital products and services. For example, a natural language processing model could be used to automatically generate a large number of test cases for evaluating the accessibility of a digital product or service. Such a model could be trained on a dataset of best practices for accessible design and development and could be used to generate test cases that cover a wide range of accessibility criteria to verify that a product is accessible to users with different abilities and disabilities.

Using natural language processing models to help identify and correct errors or biases in existing data sets. For example, a natural language processing model could be used to analyze a large dataset of user feedback or other data related to accessibility and could be used to identify patterns or trends that may indicate errors or biases in the data. The model could be used to identify instances where users with certain disabilities were more or less likely to experience certain issues, which could help experts identify and correct any biases in the data.

It is important to note that natural language processing models should be used as one tool among many and should not be relied upon as the sole source of information or guidance when it comes to digital accessibility. Experts should always be sure to consult with other experts in the field, review relevant research and guidelines, and seek out multiple sources of information in order to get a well-rounded understanding of digital accessibility.

I hope these examples give you a better idea of how natural language processing models can be used to further knowledge in the field of accessibility.

They certainly do, thank you very much! To wrap up our conversation, if you had one additional advice to give accessibility professionals, as they begin to leverage tools like ChatGPT to create original content for their blogs or social media platforms, to do so in a responsible manner, what would it be?

Here are a few pieces of advice for accessibility professionals who are using natural language processing models like ChatGPT to create original content for their blogs or social media platforms.

Use natural language processing models as a starting point, rather than a replacement for your own expertise and understanding of the topic. While these models can be a useful tool for generating ideas and insights, it is important to use them as a way to stimulate your own thinking and to supplement your own knowledge, rather than relying on them as the sole source of information.

Be transparent about the role of natural language processing models in the content you create. If you are using a natural language processing model to generate content, it is important to be upfront about this and to clearly disclose the extent to which the model was involved in the creation process.

Double-check the accuracy and reliability of the information generated by the model. While natural language processing models can be very useful, they are not always perfect and may produce inaccurate or unreliable information. It is important to carefully review the information generated by the model and to consult with experts and other sources to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content you are creating.

By following these guidelines, you can use natural language processing models like ChatGPT to create original and valuable content for your blog or social media platforms in a responsible and ethical manner.

Great. Couldn’t have worded it better myself. Any last thought before we officially end this conversation?

Certainly! As a language model, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for generating human-like text based on input provided to it. However, it is important to recognize that natural language processing models like ChatGPT are limited by the data they are trained on and the algorithms they use, and they may not always produce accurate or reliable information.

This means that it is important for professionals in the field of digital accessibility to use natural language processing models responsibly, and to consult with experts and review relevant research and guidelines in order to get a well-rounded understanding of the field. By using these tools as one tool among many, professionals can ensure that they are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the rapidly-evolving field of digital accessibility.

I hope I was able to address all of your questions and provide you with some useful insights on the use of natural language processing models like ChatGPT in the field of digital accessibility. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask!