Silicon‐based Life or Carbon‐based Life? An Exploratory Study on Visual Information Source Selection of Blind or Visually Impaired Persons

ABSTRACT The development of generative AI and Large Visual‐Language Models, has the potential to overcome the reliance of blind or visually impaired (BVI) persons on human sources for visual information. Action research and semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 19 BVI persons to explore their visual information needs and source selection. This study categorizes their needs into description, navigation, and manipulation. Accessibility, credibility, and interactivity of information sources are the primary criteria for BVI persons in information source selection. When visual task demand high accurate information, BVI persons are more likely to select human information sources due to their accessibility and credibility. When tasks are less urgent and requiring less accuracy information, the use of AI information sources increases due to the special accessibility. The purpose of the study is to understand the impact of AI on BVI persons, and provide theoretical and practical insights for the development of human‐centered AI.