Economic barriers threaten future of AI-driven assistive technologies

Artificial intelligence is reshaping assistive technologies, offering new hope for improving education, employment, and independence for people with disabilities. A new national Delphi study conducted in Bulgaria provides critical insight into where these innovations may be headed and what challenges must be overcome.

Published in Societies, the study “Identifying Future Trends in AI-Driven Assistive Technologies: Insights from a National Delphi Survey of Stakeholder Perspectives” surveyed 23 experts from disability organizations, academia, and practice. The findings present a measured but optimistic outlook for the role of AI-powered assistive technologies (ATs) by 2030, while also warning that economic and political obstacles could slow progress.

What trends are most likely and desirable for the future of ATs?

The study explored ten future-oriented scenarios for the use of assistive technologies. Bulgarian experts expressed moderate optimism that many of these scenarios could be realized by 2030, with several seen as both highly probable and highly desirable.

Personalized and multilingual AI devices for people with vision impairments ranked among the most likely to materialize, reflecting strong confidence in ongoing technological progress. These tools were expected to give users the ability to read and generate text more independently, marking a significant step forward for accessibility.

Equally important was the projection that public service workers would be trained to better engage with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Experts rated this scenario as both desirable and achievable, noting its potential to improve daily interactions and promote inclusion.

In terms of broader social impact, the integration of assistive technology into the professional development of educators in mainstream schools was rated highest for desirability. Experts agreed that embedding AT training into teacher development programs would not only expand the reach of these tools but also strengthen educational outcomes for students with disabilities. This projection achieved the strongest level of consensus among participants, signaling a clear national priority.

How do experts view the impact of ATs on inclusion and quality of life?

The Delphi survey also assessed the medium-term impact of assistive technologies on social inclusion and quality of life. Here, the experts were consistent: the scenarios they found desirable were also those they considered most impactful.

Two areas stood out. First, the ability of practitioners to conduct comprehensive assessments for matching assistive technologies to specific needs was seen as crucial. Without proper evaluations, the risk of mismatched or underused technologies increases, leading to wasted resources and lost opportunities for users. Ensuring that providers are trained to deliver tailored assessments was viewed as essential to the effectiveness of ATs.

Second, training educators to use assistive technologies was expected to deliver broad benefits, not only improving classroom inclusion but also enhancing long-term opportunities for students with disabilities. Experts highlighted that effective implementation depends as much on the capacity of professionals as on the technologies themselves.

The findings underscore a central theme: while technological advances create new possibilities, the benefits can only be fully realized if professionals in education, healthcare, and public services are equipped to use them effectively.

What challenges threaten the adoption of AI-driven ATs?

The study further makes clear that major barriers remain. Economic challenges were identified as the most serious, with high costs, funding gaps, and unequal resource allocation threatening to limit access. Experts warned that without sustainable financial support, even the most advanced technologies risk being out of reach for many users.

Political challenges were the second most significant obstacle. The successful deployment of assistive technologies requires coordinated policies across education, healthcare, labor, and social welfare. Without political alignment and support, initiatives may remain fragmented, slowing their impact.

Interestingly, technological challenges were seen as less significant. Experts expressed confidence that the underlying AI and assistive tools would continue to evolve, but cautioned that their success depends heavily on policy and funding structures. This finding points to a paradox: innovation is advancing quickly, yet adoption risks being stalled by governance and affordability rather than technical limitations.

The study also noted that social challenges, such as a lack of training for caregivers and educators or the mismatch between user needs and product design, continue to undermine adoption. Many devices are still created without sufficient input from end-users, leading to abandonment and wasted potential. Addressing these gaps through participatory design and inclusive policymaking will be critical to long-term success.