ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) language model developed by OpenAI and funded by Microsoft Corp., is having a significant impact on communication for people with autism. Individuals on the autism spectrum face significant challenges with social cues, nonliteral language, and sensory overload, and traditional communication methods can leave them feeling isolated and misunderstood. However, ChatGPT provides a text-based interface that accommodates the communication needs and styles of autistic people, enabling them to engage in meaningful and productive conversations.
ChatGPT generates humanlike responses, building contextual responses that mimic human speech patterns. Users can continually add new prompts to the AI, and it builds patient and non-judgemental interactions. Unlike traditional chatbots, ChatGPT allows for non-scripted conversations, offering literal language, patient explanations, and sensory stimulation management. This enables people with autism to communicate comfortably, without fear of judgement.
Autistic people can refine their communication skills as ChatGPT shifts its responses to meet their unique needs and preferences, providing suggestions for improvements in social interactions. The ease of using the ChatGPT interface makes it accessible for most people, including those with nonverbal autism, who can leverage the chat service to perform a variety of tasks and act as a communication partner.
While generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, will only improve over time to address specific needs such as autism, people with autism still need emotional responses that come from human interactions. If they require mental health treatment, they should still seek professional human help. Nevertheless, AI chat services, like ChatGPT, can help autistic people communicate while pointing them to outside resources when necessary.
The popularity of ChatGPT during the pandemic indicates the massive possibilities of AI technology in communication. As AI tools, like ChatGPT, leverage more datasets and draw from past conversations, they will become even more capable of providing people with autism with the best support. AI offers an excellent digital companion that can help people with autism communicate, practice, and feel empowered.
