Build AI FAQ

Aira is inviting Explorers who make calls in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to join Build AI and participate in helping to train AI to effectively assist the blind and low vision community. Explorers who opt into Build AI will have some of their qualifying call recordings securely shared with our third-party AI technology partners. These sessions will provide a data foundation to continue the development of global solutions like Aira AI powered by Project Astra that uniquely address the broad and trusted use of visual interpreting. Aira’s goal with Build AI is to continue our tradition of innovation, and develop cutting-edge AI technology with the potential to support independence and efficiency for Explorers.

What is Build AI?

Aira is taking the next step in AI innovation for the blind and low vision community. To do that, we are partnering with leaders in the AI space. Build AI is Aira’s data collection program that Explorers can opt into. By participating, you allow Aira to share your visual interpreter call recordings (excluding those with personal information, or those paid for by third parties like employers, schools, or Access Offers i.e. Target or Starbucks) with our AI development partners. Your benefit for being part of the program is that you will receive free Aira minute offers throughout the program. These offers are limited time and you will be notified in the explorer app, by email or phone when an offer is available.

How do I join Build AI?

If your app is up to date and you are located in the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, follow these steps to sign up:

  1. A pop up message will appear on the main screen of Aira Explorer inviting you to join Build AI
  2. Review the Terms of Service and select Join
  3. OR if you do not receive the pop up message go to More > Preferences > Build AI to select Join there
  4. View program enrollment and Opt in or out of the program at any time by navigating to More > Preferences.

How do I opt out a specific call from being shared with the AI partner?

To opt a specific call out, follow the below steps:

  1. Go to “Call History” within 72 hours of completing the call
  2. Select the call in question
  3. Use the options at the bottom of the screen to opt out of sharing the call

Who is eligible for the Build AI offer?

Build AI is available for Explorers calling from within the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Both Explorers with free accounts and paid subscriptions can opt in.

Limitations in availability are due to the more stringent laws regarding the use of AI in Europe and the UK. We value our Explorers world-wide and apologize for the inconvenience. If you are located in an that is not supported and Build AI is of interest to you, we encourage you to contact our Customer Care team. If anything changes with the availability of Build AI in the future, we will let you know.

Which calls are shared?

If you choose to opt in to this program, subscriber minutes as well as Aira sponsored offers such as Five Minute Free call minutes, Job Seeker Access Offer, and the Build AI Access Offer will be shared. You can always opt out certain calls that you do not want shared. Sessions through an Access Partner, like at an airport or through an employer, will be excluded from Build AI.

When using Access AI, if you choose to verify the chat responses with a human visual interpreter, we may share the images with the Build AI partner, and the messages may be read and appear in the audio.

Can I use the Build AI access for any task I want?

The Build AI offer applies to mobile, desktop, and hands-free Aira use and minutes can be used for any task or use case. Sessions that contain sensitive information will not be shared with third-party AI partners regardless of your choice to share the session.

How secure is Build AI when it comes to my personal information?

As part of Build AI, Aira is committed to maintaining our high standards of trust within the Explorer community. This means the program has rigorous controls to ensure security and privacy for all participants. Explorers have full authority which calls are shared for the first 72 hours after the session has completed.

No Explorer will have their data shared with Aira’s third-party technology partners without explicit consent. Call will be de-identified with only the video and audio from the call recording shared. Calls identified as containing sensitive information will not be shared. This includes information like financial data (credit card numbers, financial statements), medical information (prescription details, medical records), or personal information that identifies someone (state ID information, passport details).

Explorers can also opt out of sharing any specific call through the “Call History” feature in the app, which shows the session sharing status. By clicking on a specific call’s entry, a feedback form will appear. This contains a drop-down that allows Explorers to opt-out of sharing an individual session. Explorers can also call customer care to have a session opted out of Build AI.

If I opt in, can I opt back out?

Due to our commitment to privacy, which includes not sharing your data and sessions with third parties without your consent, we are requesting your consent for data sharing through this program. Your participation is entirely on your terms; you can opt out at any time and control which calls are shared. Simply navigate in-app to your preferences, then scroll to the bottom and toggle on or off the “Build AI” section.

How does this impact my subscription if I have one?

If you opt in to the program, your calls from your subscription will also be shared, but you can opt out of any calls through the “Call History” feature in the app. As we expect there to be higher demand for calls, subscriber calls will receive priority connect to avoid longer wait times that may occur with the Build AI Access Offer. If you use the Build AI Access Offer and go over the time limit, it will roll into your paid minutes, similar to a Five Minute Free call.

Why does opting in provide Explorers with free minutes?

The third-party technology partners that are working with Aira are subsidising the cost of these calls, in exchange for Aira providing call recordings to train AI. This means that specified numbers of Aira minutes will be available throughout the year for all Explorers who are opted into the program.

How long will this program last?

This program is ongoing and available minutes will vary. Updates will be available via email, in-app, through social media, and by contacting our Care Team.

How does Aira incorporate AI with its human interpreters?

The human experience with a visual interpreter is always at the core of Aira. As AI technology continues to advance, we recognize that there are some tasks and use cases it is very well suited for and some significant future potential. Human Visual Interpreters are also essential for many other tasks, and provide a high degree of trust and security.

We envision a future at Aira with the best visual interpreters possible and the most advanced AI technology working seamlessly together. Whether you join the Build AI program or not, you will always have a choice over whether to work with AI or a human visual interpreter.

What AI tools or experiences are being created with this data?

One way that the data being shared by you, the community, is being used is to develop Aira’s AI Visual Interpreter powered by Project Astra. We are inviting members of the blind and low-vision community to help shape how this technology works in real life. If you would like to join our Trusted Tester program and try out Aira AI, Join the Waitlist Opens in new tab or window

Do you have additional questions?

Please connect with Customer Care at support@aira.io