On 9 April 2026, our Founder and Executive Director Nidhi Goyal attended a one-day workshop hosted by Digital Futures Lab in Goa. The workshop, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, brought together a group of 20 civil society leaders to discuss what a fair and inclusive future with AI could look like.
The focus of the workshop was to ensure that communities most affected by AI, especially those often left out of decision-making spaces, are included in shaping how AI is built and governed. Nidhi shared how AI can be both empowering and complex: for many people with disabilities, AI tools are opening up new levels of independence and and bringing back autonomy – through assistive technologies, automated image descriptions, or future possibilities like robotics.
At the same time, she raised important questions about privacy and safety. Many persons with disabilities already face immediate risks to their privacy due to dependence on human assistance. In comparison, concerns about data and AI can feel more distant, and are not always part of everyday conversations.
Nidhi emphasised that people with disabilities must be included in discussions related to AI so that technology does not become inaccessible. She also called for more inclusive conversations that balance both the benefits and harms of AI.
The workshop concluded with participants imagining future uses of AI and identifying key priorities to ensure it remains fair, accessible, and centered on people’s needs.