[Interview] Paul Lee, CEO of InnoCaption | Accessibility Must Become Part of AI Infrastructure
As governments and technology companies invest heavily in semiconductors, cloud computing and data centers, accessibility is still often treated as a secondary feature rather than part of the infrastructure itself. In a written interview with Korea IT Times, Paul Lee, CEO of InnoCaption, argues that
In a written interview with Korea IT Times, Paul Lee, CEO of InnoCaption, emphasized the necessity of integrating accessibility into digital infrastructure, similar to how roads, power, and broadband are considered essential components. Lee asserted that accessibility is key to ensuring the AI economy is inclusive and benefits everyone.
InnoCaption has achieved the milestone of 30 million captioned calls, marking a significant stride in providing accessibility to users with hearing loss. The CEO highlighted the profound impact of their service, which has led to a nearly 50% reduction in listening effort, a 55% reduction in listening fatigue, and a shift in users' emotions from frustration to confidence and happiness.
Lee underscored that accessibility is much more than a convenience feature; it is a vital tool for leading an empowered and independent life. He argued that accessibility should be considered as critical as other digital infrastructure, such as roads and power, since it determines who can participate in modern life. If digital systems are not made accessible, a portion of the population will be excluded.
Lee further explained how accessibility built into infrastructure can benefit more people than intended, drawing a parallel between curb cuts designed for wheelchair users and captions designed for people with hearing loss. He emphasized that accessibility, when built into infrastructure, serves far more people than initially intended.
Written by urgent.news from Korea IT Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
