People with Disabilities Pioneers in AI
WHAT WE DO -> PROJECTS -> People with Disabilities Pioneers in AI
We train People with Disabilities in AI
In 2024, we started an extremely innovative project, even by global standards… And we are happy to continue!
We train People with Disabilities (PwDs) so that they can work on “training” Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Afterwards, PwDs (people with autism, mental disorders, and motor disabilities) undertake carrying out supported work in real conditions! That is, to implement projects in collaboration with research groups and companies. In the first phase of the program, we collaborated with NCSR “Demokritos”.
Throughout our journey, our valuable partner in this project is the Child and Adolescent Center.
This year, we also have the pleasure of working alongside PEPSAEE for the second year and inaugurating our collaboration with the following organizations: IASIS, KoiSPE ‘Diadromes’, Greek Association for Asperger Syndrome, as well as Panagiotis Pitsiniagas for motor disabilities.
In 2024, we also collaborated with Egkairi Paremvasi.
We share with you the participants’ experiences from the program’s first phase.
People with Disabilities Support Organizations, researchers from NCSR “Demokritos”, and people from our organizing team share their experiences.
Watch the Video!
Support
The program is implemented with the support of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and METLEN.
We train People with Disabilities in AI
People with Disabilities face difficulties in finding work, with significant economic, social, and psychological effects on their lives. At the same time, the explosive development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems creates an ever-increasing need for people to “train” these systems.
So, we decided to innovate and venture in new directions!
Our goal is for People with Disabilities to acquire new, in-demand professional skills while also participating in the development of AI systems by performing Annotation (preparing data for training AI systems). In this way, they will be able to contribute to the country’s digital transformation.
We train People with Disabilities in AI
During the first cycle of the project:
- We developed the “Development of Annotation Skills in PwDs” training program for People with Disabilities support organizations.
- Eight professionals from People with Disabilities support organizations were trained in Artificial Intelligence. [Child and Adolescent’s Center, Egkairi Paremvasi, Hellenic Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Vocational Reintegration (PEPSAEE)].
- The professionals trained 12 selected People with Disabilities in Annotation for 3 months.
- The trained annotators who responded to the needs of such a project implemented it with real data from NCSR “Demokritos”.
- This pilot action was analyzed to shape the terms and conditions to grow the project in an effective way.
- Based on the knowledge and experience acquired, the employment prospects of People with Disabilities in AI projects were investigated.
- Research was conducted during the training and pilot work of the People with Disabilities, with important findings! (See the results here – in Greek)
The second cycle is in the first months of implementation, and according to the first results:
- Eleven professionals from new People with Disabilities support organizations were trained in Artificial Intelligence. (Iasis, Koi.S.P.E. “Diadromes”, Greek Association for Asperger’s Syndrome, Panagiotis Pitsiniagkas for the motor disabilities).
Additionally, according to the planning:
- 20-25 new People with Disabilities will be trained, also including people with motor disabilities.
- New and previously trained People with Disabilities will be employed for a total of 850-1000 hours.
- New jobs will be found for all the People with Disabilities who will move forward to the phase of part-time employment.
- We will explore the market’s needs and opportunities for annotation and build partnerships with prospective employers.
- We will conduct scientific research in this project cycle as well.
