Review of AI Technologies for Enhancing the Lives of Visually Impaired Individuals: Applications, Outcomes, and Future Directions

Imagine an environment where individuals with disabilities enjoy a significantly improved quality of life, not only because of the support they receive but also due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). While existing studies focus on exploring specific aspects of AI technologies for visually impaired (VI) individuals, there is limited research exploring the outcomes of designed and implemented AI technologies on these individuals. This study examines the current state of AI technologies in supporting VI individuals. We systematically reviewed 263 articles published between 2008 and 2023, of which 33 met the inclusion criteria for our study. This rigorous selection process ensured that only the relevant studies conducted with AI technology for VI were included in our analysis. The results identified several applications developed for various purposes, predominantly 45% focused on AI technology for independent navigation, followed by technology that addresses daily activities issues (21%). Our findings indicate that limited AI technologies have been developed for educational purposes and use in finance and e-commerce. The outcomes of using AI technology demonstrate improvements in navigation and mobility, as well as enhanced independence and quality of life. While our study identifies gaps in existing AI technology for VI, it also contributes to various stakeholders, including developers, users, and researchers, by providing a comprehensive understanding of the current state of AI technology for individuals with VI.