05 AI-assisted inclusive interaction design system for users with cognitive differences

Abstract

Cognitive differences affect millions of individuals worldwide, creating significant barriers to digital accessibility and inclusion. Traditional interface design approaches often fail to accommodate the diverse cognitive needs of users with conditions such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorders, and executive function impairments. Here we show that an AI- assisted inclusive interaction design system can dramatically improve digital accessibility for users with cognitive differences while maintaining usability for neurotypical users. Our system employs real-time cognitive assessment using multimodal behavioral and physiological indicators, achieving 94.7% accuracy in classifying user cognitive states. The adaptive interface framework dynamically adjusts visual complexity, interaction modalities, and information presentation based on individual user needs. In controlled experiments with 32 participants, users with cognitive differences showed 28.4% reduction in task completion time, 43.2% decrease in error rates, and 33.5% improvement in cognitive load measures when using our AI-assisted system compared to standard interfaces. These findings demonstrate that AI-driven adaptive design can create truly inclusive digital experiences that benefit both users with cognitive differences and the broader population, advancing the field toward universal design principles that accommodate human cognitive diversity.