Vision Australia AI news: May 2026

This month, we look at how some people are using AI for good – and how a few are using it for evil – and hear from a client about how AI is helping them keep them up to date with all things football.

Scam artists use AI assist to create scams that are more believable  

AI scams have the potential to cause a lot of damage, yet as scammers get more sophisticated, the scams get harder to spot. Some simple tips to help you stay safe include:

• Only download apps from official stores and verify the developer.
• Don’t call or share information with unknown contacts who push you to download.
• If you think your banking information is compromised, contact your bank immediately.

A recent scam Australians have been targeted with involves Facebook ads for “free” Tai Chi classes. Interested people are being sent a WhatsApp link to an app called Australia Premium Club to manage bookings. The scammer even calls first, to make it seem legitimate.

Woolworths AI chatbot to add items directly into your groceries basket for you

Woolworths and Google are teaming up incorporate agentic AI into the supermarket’s "Olive" chatbot. This update will allow the Woolworths app to help customers plan meals, interpret handwritten recipes, apply loyalty discounts and place items directly into a customer's online shopping basket.

New AI tool offers early myopia detection for parents

Australian optometry company 1001 Optometry has launched a new AI tool called Magnif-eye, which scans family photos to help parents identify early signs of childhood myopia, such as frequent squinting or sitting too close to screens.

The app is not intended to replace clinical testing, but rather offers parents a way to spot the condition before it progresses, and seek a consultation with an optometrist if required.

Blind marathon runner guided by AI smart glasses  

Clarke Reynolds is a blind runner who previously completed the London marathon with the help of a physical guide runner. Soon though, he will run the Brightton Marathon with the support of the app Be My Eyes, and a worldwide team of virtual volunteers.

Through the camera and speakers on his smart glasses, these volunteers will be able to give Clarke real time information to help direct him through the 42.2km course, without the support of a tethered guide runner.

Spotlight of the month: Live Read app compared with Seeing AI

Live Read and Seeing AI are apps that are both free to download and useful for people with low vision, but they suit different needs. Live Read is ideal for reading printed text like mail and labels, while Seeing AI offers more complex features, such as recognising money, people and scenes.

They both have their pros and cons and suit different personalities and lifestyles. To find out more about their differences, Sam from The Blind Life channel has posted a three-minute video on YouTube.

AI fails: When AI goes wrong  

Disney's new AI Olaf robot suffers its first malfunction at Disney Parks

Disney Parks has recently introduced a new Olaf animatronic robot as the next generation of live character encounters. Unlike the stationary Olaf found within the Disney rides, the AI Olaf is able to freely roam around the park and interact with park guests thanks to advancements in robotics and AI.

In the video posted on TikTok, Olaf can be seen talking to a crowd of Disney guests. He blinks and waves his arms believably. Then he suddenly freezes, standing still for a second with his eyes wide open. Then Olaf slowly leans backward and falls flat on his back. And to top it all off, Olaf lost his carrot nose on impact, with the nose falling off and bouncing away.

The crowd laughs, kids screamed, and staff awkwardly carried Olaf away.

Readers stories

Alexa smart speaker and Gemini AI tech brings the morning news back to life for Jim

For many, the morning ritual of sitting down with a newspaper and a coffee is the best way to start the day. For Jim, who has navigated significant vision loss, that tradition was a missing piece of his daily routine – until he discovered the power of modern AI assistive technology.

A recent graduate of Vision Australia’s Alexa Smart Speaker program, Jim has successfully bridged the gap between his morning coffee and the latest headlines. He now uses his Alexa smart speaker to have the day’s top stories and global events read aloud, ensuring he stays as informed as ever.

Beyond the daily news, Jim has embraced Gemini AI’s conversation mode to keep up with footy news. An avid footy fan, Jim uses Gemini to stay on top of every play, trade, and news update coming out of Richmond's Tigerland. Whether it’s deep-diving into Richmond’s latest performance or checking the upcoming fixture, Jim ensures he never misses a beat on or off the field.

If anyone is interested in participating in Vision Australia's Alexa program, please get in touch!

Share your experiences

We love to hear how AI or smart tech helps our clients and community members! If you want to share your story, please email us ai@visionaustralia.org.

Sharing your experience with AI, good or bad, is a great way for the Vision Australia community to pool our knowledge and help break down barriers for others facing similar challenges.