Facebook's Automatic ALT Text (AAT) system can detect and identify 10 times more objects and concepts that of its first launch.
Dhaliya Nazreen
Facebook's Automatic ALT Text (AAT) system can detect and identify 10 times more objects and concepts that of its first launch. This system meant for visually impaired users who need help to identify activities, landmarks, types of plants, animals and so more.
Mark Zuckerberg's profile (viewed from the login page) | credits: Wikipedia
Facebook introduced AAT in 2016 that uses Artificial Intelligence for object recognition to generate description for photos on Facebook and Instagram as a friendly approach to visually challenged users. They can enjoy this facility with the help of a screen reader and focus on that image. If the object/concept is identified then the user will here a list of items in that image contains or a description written by the person who posted that photo. For example, AAT provides the description of a 'bunch of flower' like this, "May be an image of 10 flowers, 4 of them are red roses, 3 of them are tulips and rest of them are lavenders".
It is really amazing isn't it?
Facebook Accessibility Team founder, Jeff Weinland mentioned in an interview by American Foundation of the Blind (AFB) "'Automatic Alternative Text' is a major step towards creating equal access of information, demonstrating how much we can care about our commitment to connecting everyone".
With the help of new AAT, users will get precise and meaningful description for all the photos by default, the option for getting detailed description of an image is provided for those who have more interest on them. While selecting this a panel will introduce more comprehensive description about the photo content.
Facebook expressed that company approaches the users those who depends on screen reader and found out that they need more information about an image, when it is uploaded by friends and family, and less information is required for images from other sources. The detailed description also include the positional information and comparison of relative influence object.
Facebook mentioned that uploaded AAT package of multiple technology which enhances the impression of visually impaired on images uploaded in the media.
Let them see with the mind, what we see with our eyes!