How AI can make life with MS easier

So we hear a lot these days about AI, but first, what is it? Is it the end of the world? Is it something for computer-minded people?

AI stands for “artificial intelligence”. It’s technology that lets computers carry out tasks that normally require human intelligence. It has lots of different uses.

I asked AI to describe what it was, and here’s what it said:

“Imagine you have a very smart helper who can learn from examples and experiences, just like how you learn to recognise faces or understand language. This helper doesn’t have a brain like humans, but it uses computers and data to figure things out.”

Not bad! I thought of it like this: imagine going to a railway station in central London and wanting to travel to a particular destination. You can look at the tube map and work out your destination, then piece together how to get there, the route to take, if there are any delays, times of the trains and what the quickest or easiest route is (maybe you need to avoid stairs). Phew - that’s a lot, right? Or you could ask a member of staff. From their experience and knowledge of the underground, they can quickly advise you on the best route to take.

AI is like having someone to give you these quick answers in daily life. It’s always worth double-checking what AI gives you, as it does sometimes make mistakes. But it can still be a really helpful tool for those of us living with MS.

So how can AI help you in everyday life?

Simplifying complicated information

Many people with MS experience cognitive difficulties, like brain fog. This can make reading lots of complex information difficult. You can use an AI program like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to simplify information for you.

You can copy and paste a piece of text into one of these tools and ask it to summarise the text. For example, you could type in: “can you summarise this to 3 sentences please” (I always keep the “please” and “thank you” going which is not necessary, but I can’t help it!). It then it provides you with a shorter version that’s easier to understand. I find this function great if too much information is confusing.

It's also handy that the answers can be copied, shared with others or read aloud. Plus, you can ask questions using voice rather than typing if you need to.

Finding accessible destinations

AI has also helped me find places to go that are accessible. Instead of having to go through lots of websites to find out about wheelchair access and disabled toilets, AI can do it for you.

For example, I asked an AI tool:

“Can you show me places to go in the country for a walk, within 20 miles, that I can take a mobility scooter and has a disabled toilet available?”

Rather than digging out a map or looking online and piecing together options, AI gives me this in the blink of an eye…

“Certainly! Here are some accessible countryside walks within 20 miles of High Wycombe that are suitable for mobility scooters and have disabled toilet facilities:

1. West Wycombe Trail: This short walk introduces you to the colourful history of West Wycombe, its historic buildings, and the picturesque landscape of the Chiltern countryside. Public toilets, including disabled facilities, are available near the village school at the lower Church Lane car park and at the Hellfire Caves.
2. Wendover Woods: Covering 325 hectares of woodland, Wendover Woods offers many paths with hard surfaces, including a waymarked easy access trail suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet opposite the café.
3. Black Park: With miles of trails through conifer woods, around a lake, and through heathland, Black Park provides wheelchair-accessible trails, parking, toilets, and a café. Mobility scooters are also available for hire.

Before visiting, it's advisable to check the latest accessibility information and opening hours for each location, as facilities may change over time.”

It also helpfully gives me a link to all the places to click on to look at things further. I recommend double-checking accessibility information on the park websites before going, in case the AI has made any mistakes.

Summarising email chains

Another plus of AI that helps my cognitively-challenged brain is that when I’m presented with an email with lots of information, my email service now has an AI tool that helps me quickly understand it all. It gives me the option to click on a button that summarises the email chain to the basic facts. In Outlook, this is a little button at the top right of the email chain, that says “Summarise”.

Getting started

So is AI a threat to the world, like some people say? I’m not sure. But can it help us with our challenges, be they cognitive, visual or physical? I would say yes.

Don’t be scared, try different things and learn what works for you.

To get started, you can search for one of these AI tools and start asking it questions: 

• Chat GPT
• Gemini
• Copilot
• Deepseek

All are available on the web or as an app on your phone.

The future is bright!