Autistic people like myself often face challenges when it comes to interpreting facial expressions and understanding emotions. I have been known to stare at people when in reality I am doing my best to understand the emotions to their words. Sometimes I will ask ” is this sarcastic?” or “what do you mean by that?”, when I can’t put together tone of voice with what someone said. This can make social interactions difficult and even awkward and may lead to feelings of anxiety when it’s time to engage. However, with advances in technology, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, there is potential for individuals on the autism spectrum to better read and respond to facial expressions.
Facial recognition technology, which is a subset of AI, has come a long way in recent years. I was introduced to it in 2002 while working on a team placing systems along with satellites in wartime areas in another country. I was blown away by the technology twenty years ago and through various projects been able to witness this technology come light years further. It is now used in a variety of industries, from security to advertising, and has the potential to be a game-changer for individuals with autism. By using facial recognition software, it is possible to identify and interpret a person’s facial expressions and emotions in real-time.
One possible application of this technology is to use it as an overlay on videos, much like closed captioning is used for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The overlay could provide real-time feedback on the emotions being displayed by the people on screen, allowing autistic individuals to better understand the social cues being conveyed. This could be particularly useful in social situations, such as job interviews or first dates, where understanding and interpreting facial expressions is crucial.
In addition, facial recognition technology could be used to teach individuals on the autism spectrum how to better read and respond to emotions. By providing real-time feedback on the emotions being displayed, it is possible for individuals to learn how to interpret these cues and respond appropriately. This type of training could be particularly helpful for younger individuals with autism, who are still learning how to navigate social situations. As an autist you learn by observing and this could help a younger person not to have to go through years of frustration figuring our others expressions or taking things the wrong way.
Furthermore, the technology could be used to teach autistic individuals how to mimic facial expressions, which could improve their ability to engage socially with others. By using the technology to provide feedback on the appropriateness of their responses, individuals with autism could learn how to adjust their facial expressions and behavior to better fit social norms.
Of course, there are potential ethical concerns surrounding the use of facial recognition technology in this manner. It is important to ensure that individuals’ privacy is protected and that the technology is not used to discriminate against individuals based on their facial expressions or emotions. I think if we compare it to close captioned, like i mentioned earlier for those on the spectrum. Instead of words it is expressions.
However, with proper safeguards and proper stewardship of use in place, facial recognition technology has the potential to be a powerful tool for helping individuals on the autism spectrum better understand and navigate social situations. By providing real-time feedback and training, it could improve their social skills and quality of life, leading to greater confidence and a sense of belonging in their communities.
AI has the potential to revolutionize the way in which we approach autism and social skills training. By using facial recognition technology, individuals with autism could be better equipped to understand and interpret facial expressions, improving their ability to engage with others and navigate social situations. As the technology continues to advance, it is important that we use it in a responsible and ethical manner, ensuring that it is used to improve the lives of those with autism, rather than use it as a sort of data or feedback for a social credit system. Good stewardship is very important over this and all AI technology.
