State of the Research on Artificial Intelligence Based Apps for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities

Abstract

We conducted a general Google search and a scoping review of various types of artificial intelligence (AI) based technology – mobile, web-based, software, hardware – used by college and university students to do schoolwork. The main findings indicate that (1) there is no generally agreed upon definition of AI, and (2) there is a huge discrepancy between the popular press articles that are behind the AI hype and the scientific literature. The popular press provides an overview of the AI tools available to students with disabilities and discusses how students can use these tools. The scientific literature is primarily devoted to tool development and has poor methodology. We conclude that the potential of AI for post-secondary students with disabilities is enormous, but that informed research about these tools is scant, with a profound lack of demonstrated scalability. Research needs to address “real-world” uses of AI-based tools by post-secondary students with disabilities.