Recently, the FTC hit accessiBe with a $1 million fine for misleading people about their AI tool’s ability to make websites fully WCAG compliant (source)
I foresee a lot more of this (and digital ambulance chasing) happening in the near future, not just in ADA compliance but with any AI-based approach that promises a completely hands-off experience.
So.. let’s talk about AI again!
Me + AI: Love, hate, love relationship
At first, my 20+ years of experience in web design and development told me to fear and reject Generative AI.
And, honestly the better artificial intelligence gets, the more mornings I wake up and think I might have to rehash my childhood dream of being a clown or jester. I can juggle, if you’re looking..
“Has this whole journey been all for nothing?” I’ve dramatically asked myself. If a prompt can do what I do, what need is there for a me?
But, then I tried to create a website using a variety of different AI tools. Not just a one-pager, something a little more complicated.
And I realized some things:
- AI can totally build a complicated website!
- But the builder definitely needs to talk the walk.
- Because it’s true, garbage in garbage out.
- AI will not replace me. Yet!
You + AI: A cautionary tale
AI tools are phenomenal, but they’re not the magic solution that most claim it to be – and that can lead to trouble.
As stated, the FTC fined accessiBe $1 million for misleading users about their AI tool’s ability to make websites WCAG compliant. That means that the tool promises a hands-off approach to make a website accessible, but falls flat.
This serves as a reminder that when it comes to things like accessibility (or um, page speed), there aren’t always reliable shortcuts available.
I understand the appeal of these tools, believe me I do. They promise fast, easy fixes, but the reality is that accessibility requires more than just automated solutions. There’s a human element to it, including testing, thoughtful design, and attention to detail.
At 3tone Digital, we believe in combining AI with actual hands-on work. Automated tools can help, but they shouldn’t be the whole solution.
Visit our services page for more information.
If you’re looking to improve your website’s accessibility the right way, let’s talk. I’d love to help make your website more inclusive for everyone.
