Outcome/Impact
Solution: as part of a Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP) project, a team of University of Michigan students developed three tools leveraging generative AI to automatically create alternative text, commonly called Alt-Text, to create image captions. These tools were implemented as a WordPress plugin, Drupal module, and Google Docs and Slides add-on, providing compatibility across widely used platforms. The project emphasized accessibility and innovation, showcasing student expertise and collaboration.
- Improved Accessibility: Increases the usability of websites for individuals relying on screen readers.
- Efficiency Gains: Automates the creation of alt text, saving time and resources for developers.
- Customization: Allows users to modify system prompts and regenerate alt text for better alignment with specific requirements.
- Scalability: Offers multi-upload capabilities for large-scale image management.
- Compliance: Helps ensure adherence to WCAG guidelines and accessibility mandates.
Precursor to Wider Applications: While initially targeted for accessibility improvements, the tool demonstrates a scalable approach that could be applied to broader digital asset management challenges across industries.
Project Team:
- Audrey June Smith
- Joshua Xie
- Karthik Tilak
- Liyufei Meng
- Kushal Kamal Patel
- Yushu He