Introduction to AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that mimics human intelligence to perform tasks like understanding language, recognizing objects, and making decisions. While AI might seem complex, it’s quickly becoming an integral part of everyday life, offering incredible tools for everyone, including those who are blind or visually impaired. AI can help you navigate the world, access information, and communicate more effectively.

How AI Can Help You

For blind users, AI can be a game-changer, making many daily tasks easier and more accessible. Here are some of the most impactful AI tools you can start using today:

ChatGPT: Your Conversational Assistant

What It Does: ChatGPT is an AI you can talk to like a friend or assistant. You can ask it questions, get help writing emails, or even have it explain complex topics in simple terms.

How to Use It: To get started, visit chat.openai.com in your web browser. You can type or speak your questions, and ChatGPT will respond with helpful information. Whether you need to draft a message, learn something new, or just chat, ChatGPT is there to assist you.

Free Plan and Pricing:

Free Plan: ChatGPT offers a free tier that gives you access to the basic features of the AI. This plan is great for getting started and exploring what the AI can do without any financial commitment.

ChatGPT Plus: For those who want more advanced features, faster response times, and priority access during high-demand periods, OpenAI offers a paid plan called ChatGPT Plus. This plan costs $20 per month and provides enhanced capabilities, making it ideal for users who rely on ChatGPT for frequent or complex tasks.

Getting Started:

You don’t need an account to start using the free version of ChatGPT, but signing up can provide a more personalized experience. If you’re new to AI, I highly recommend exploring the free plan first to see how it can fit into your daily routine. As you become more comfortable, you can decide if upgrading to ChatGPT Plus is right for you.

Seeing AI: Your Eyes for the Visual World

What It Does: Developed by Microsoft, Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. It can read text, describe people and objects, and even identify colors. For example, you can use it to read a letter, check the color of your clothes, or even recognize the faces of people in photos.

How to Use It: Download the Seeing AI app from the App Store. Once installed, you can use your phone’s camera to point at text or objects, and the app will describe what it sees. Seeing AI is particularly useful for handling tasks like reading grocery labels, identifying ingredients, and even recognizing currency.

Be My AI: A Companion for Visual Assistance

What It Does: Be My AI is a feature within the Be My Eyes app, which connects blind users with sighted volunteers via video call. With its integration of GPT-4, Be My AI can now provide instant descriptions of photos, identify objects, and help with tasks like setting up a new device or reading product labels—all through AI, without needing a human volunteer.

How to Use It: Start by downloading the Be My Eyes app. Within the app, you can use the Be My AI feature to ask the AI to describe what’s in front of your camera. This is incredibly useful for quick, real-time assistance with visual tasks.

Trust But Verify: A Note on AI Limitations

While AI can significantly enhance your daily life, it’s essential to remember that it isn’t perfect. AI tools like ChatGPT, Seeing AI, and Be My AI are incredibly advanced, but they can sometimes make mistakes or misinterpret information. Therefore, it’s always a good practice to trust but verify. Double-check important details when possible, and use AI as a helpful assistant rather than a sole source of truth.

Everyday Uses of AI

AI isn’t just for special occasions—it can be part of your daily routine:

• Morning Routine: Check the weather, get news updates, or listen to your schedule for the day using AI tools.

• Shopping: Use AI to read labels, compare products, or find the best deals.

• Traveling: Get AI-assisted navigation to ensure you reach your destination safely and efficiently.

• Entertainment: Discover new books, movies, or music recommendations based on your preferences.

Resources

• ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com

• Seeing AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/seeing-ai/id999062298

• Be My AI: https://www.bemyeyes.com