RNIB forms AI partnership

A partnership has been formed for a project to develop support technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for blind and partially sighted people.

Alana, a Heriot-Watt University programme which created software that communicates with users in a conversational way, has collaborated on the project with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

AI technology would be used to enhance existing support provided by the RNIB, such as its Sight Loss Advice Service offered by telephone, in eye clinics and digitally.

David Clarke, director of services at RNIB, said: ‘As technology continues to develop, it brings a host of wonderful new opportunities. The advent of AI is particularly exciting with wide-reaching possibilities and we are looking forward to working with Alana to see how this new technology can benefit our community.’