AI may be of help for visually impaired: Sim

SIBU: Artificial Intelligence (AI) can potentially revolutionise assistance for the visually impaired.

According to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, with the advancement of this technology, it coud help them ‘see’.

“Last year, the AI could not hear you. But this year, the AI can speak to you. By next year, the AI can see you and can spy on you.

“This is how fast the AI revolution is taking place at this point in time. The AI technology may be able to help with visual impairment because they can see, they can guide and so on,” he said.

Dr Sim said this at the Sarawak Society for the Blind, Sibu Division Branch annual open house cum food and fun fair here Sunday (Nov 12).

Also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government he advised the people to take good care of their eyes by limiting the use of the handphone.

“I hope medical research will be intensified as I don’t know what would happen to our children’s eyesight in years to come as our eyes are not built for us to look at our handphone for long hours,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the Sarawak Society for the Blind, Dr Sim said the strong support from the community has enabled it to continue operating for 45 years.

“Nobody chooses to be born visually-impaired. But you have chosen to support them which makes a lot of difference.

“Without support from the community, the blind and visually-impaired persons would not be able to live beautifully like all of us,” he added.

Event organising chairperson Datin Judy Lau said it was held to raise funds to assist their clients who are also affected by the rising prices of daily necessities.

Also present were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Chairman Clarence Ting.

Lau (second right) present souvenir to Dr Sim (third left). Also seen Chieng (left), Ting (right) and others.