Computer Science Seminar

"Generating Access? Investigating the Perspectives of College Students with Disabilities on Generative Artificial Intelligence” by Alex Atcheson, who is a sixth-year PhD candidate in Computer Science in the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Abstract: In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that nearly one in five college students identifies as having a disability. Yet, many students continue to encounter accessibility barriers that lead to inequities in higher education. Recently, developments in generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like ChatGPT, have made possible new forms of interaction and personalization that have applications to accessibility. For example, disabled communities have used generative AI to make creative work more accessible, bridge communication gaps, and help users navigate physical spaces. At the same time, generative AI poses a variety of risks, such as hallucinating information and perpetuating harmful stereotypes. With more students adopting generative AI, our understanding of how this technology may improve (or reduce) the inclusiveness of higher education for students with disabilities is still developing. To what extent are generative AI tools making higher education more accessible to students with disabilities, and what are the potential harms of relying on AI as a solution for addressing disability-related inequities? In this talk, I will share my research on this topic and discuss opportunities for technology’s role in the design of more inclusive learning environments.

Bio: Alex Atcheson is a sixth-year PhD candidate in Computer Science in the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Southern California in 2021. At UIUC, Alex is advised by Dr. Karrie Karahalios as part of the Social Spaces research group, where he currently studies how AI technologies impact the accessibility of higher education to students with disabilities, collaborating closely with experts in Special Education and Disability Services. In addition to accessibility, education, and AI, Alex's research interests also include governance in online communities, co-design and participatory design methods, and the design of technology to support civic participation. (https://saatcheson.github.io/)