The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind has cautioned that a planned rollout of artificial intelligence tools in national examinations could leave visually impaired candidates behind if proper preparations are not made.

The Executive Chairman of the Centre, Jolomi Fenemigho, stated that without deliberate measures focused on the needs of visually impaired learners, the initiative risked remaining an ambitious idea rather than an actual project. He made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday.

Fenemigho noted that many blind students have never had consistent access to computers, assistive software, or trained instructors, arguing that this gap could not be ignored simply because new technology had been introduced. "AI driven exams sound impressive, but for blind candidates, technology without preparation is a new barrier in a different disguise. When many blind students have never had consistent access to computers, assistive software, or trained instructors, we cannot pretend that simply announcing AI makes the process inclusive," he stated.

Despite the concerns raised, Fenemigho described the planned integration of smart assessment tools into national examinations as a progressive move, suggesting that the direction of the initiative was welcome even as he flagged the risks it posed to learners with visual impairments.

The Centre's warning points to a broader concern around ensuring that emerging technology in education does not widen existing gaps for candidates with disabilities, particularly in the absence of targeted infrastructure, training, and assistive resources tailored to their needs.