Erin Taylor navigated her wheelchair into a hall filled with members of Parliament and prominent leaders, where she then used only her eye movements to operate a cutting-edge communication system. A lifelike digital avatar appeared on the large screens, speaking on her behalf.
"Technology has incredible potential to empower people with disabilities—but that promise is only fulfilled when we’re involved in its creation from the beginning," said Taylor via the avatar. She advocated for a future driven by AI that is shaped collaboratively with those who depend on these tools most.
Diagnosed in 2023 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—a progressive condition that often results in complete paralysis—Taylor was invited to Parliament by the Scott-Morgan Foundation (SMF), a pioneering non-profit focused on transforming life for individuals with disabilities through technology, alongside a network of AI collaborators.
Her speech, which included humorous remarks delivered in Viennese German through her multilingual avatar, marked the opening of the Zero Project Conference at the United Nations in Vienna. This event, recognized as Europe’s largest gathering focused on accessibility, drew approximately 1,500 participants to engage in discussions, workshops, and innovation showcases.
For the first time, Lenovo—a global leader in technology—participated in the conference to reconnect with existing partners and explore advancements in assistive tech.
“We were honored to bring our mission of inclusive technology to such a meaningful platform,” said Calvin Crosslin, Lenovo Foundation President and Vice President of HR. “It was a valuable opportunity to share what we’ve developed, learn from others, and witness the transformative power of AI.”
The same system Taylor used in Parliament—featuring an interface designed by Lenovo and powered by a ThinkPad X12 detachable tablet—was originally unveiled at Lenovo Tech World last October, when Taylor introduced CEO Yuanqing Yang on stage. That event reflected years of collaboration with SMF.
SMF played a key role in bringing Lenovo into the Zero Project Conference, organizing discussions, connecting industry leaders, and identifying new opportunities where Lenovo’s AI and tech expertise could contribute to inclusive innovation.
“Erin’s message in the Austrian Parliament—that digital access is a human right—is a compelling example of what’s possible when technology is developed with empathy and intention,” said LaVonne Roberts, CEO of SMF US. “True progress in accessibility comes not from isolated solutions, but from partnerships. Our collaboration with Lenovo illustrates how blending lived experience with advanced technology leads to smarter, more scalable innovations.”
Designing for Inclusion from the Start
A common theme at the conference was the “curb-cut effect”—where changes made for accessibility end up benefiting a much broader population. Features like sidewalk ramps, originally created for wheelchair users, now support parents, shoppers, and others navigating cities. The takeaway: innovation rooted in inclusivity often has far-reaching impact.
“There are over 2.5 billion people globally who currently need assistive tech—and that number could rise to 3.5 billion by 2050,” Roberts noted. “At SMF, we treat this not as a statistic, but a mandate to act. Each figure represents an individual with untapped potential waiting to be unlocked through inclusive technology.”
Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office (PDO) is guided by a similar principle, reviewing products to ensure they serve a diverse range of users around the world.
“We don’t stop at meeting compliance standards—we aim to foster a culture of inclusive innovation,” said Ada Lopez, PDO lead and conference participant. “This event demonstrated what’s already achievable, and reminded us how much more is possible through collaboration. At Lenovo, combining different ideas and technologies is key to creating assistive solutions that benefit everyone.”
Lopez also offered practical advice during the conference to organizations of all sizes on how to scale and implement accessibility-focused innovations.
Uniting for a More Accessible World
Crosslin joined a panel titled “AI for All,” where he spoke on democratizing access to technology. He also reviewed assistive tech proposals submitted by global entrepreneurs.
“Often, innovation happens in isolation—focused on a single problem for a narrow audience,” he said. “But this limits what’s possible. Erin’s avatar is proof of what can be achieved through collective effort—the result is far more powerful than anything developed alone.”
SMF led the creation of the avatar, integrating AI tools like D-ID’s custom avatars, ElevenLabs’ synthetic voices, and eye-tracking software from IRISBOND. Lenovo developed the platform and provided devices for global testing among people with ALS.
“The work by SMF, their partners, and our own Ada Lopez is pushing boundaries. It’s inspiring to witness,” Crosslin added. “We’re seeing real steps toward AI equity.”
The collaboration is expanding to include new partnerships, such as with Smartbox, a leader in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) technologies.
From the Conference to the Community
Following Zero Project, Crosslin and Lopez visited Lenovo’s largest European office in Bratislava, Slovakia.
“We brought the energy and insight from the event with us,” said Santiago Mendez, Lenovo’s Corporate Citizenship lead for EMEA, who also attended the conference. “We reflected on how our local initiatives can evolve and engage communities in meaningful ways.”
In Bratislava, they held discussions with staff, celebrated the contributions of employee resource groups, and explored strategies to build inclusivity into everything from product design to workplace culture.
Click here to know more Zero Project and Lenovo’s commitments to environmental, social, and governance excellence
"Technology has incredible potential to empower people with disabilities—but that promise is only fulfilled when we’re involved in its creation from the beginning," said Taylor via the avatar. She advocated for a future driven by AI that is shaped collaboratively with those who depend on these tools most.
Diagnosed in 2023 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—a progressive condition that often results in complete paralysis—Taylor was invited to Parliament by the Scott-Morgan Foundation (SMF), a pioneering non-profit focused on transforming life for individuals with disabilities through technology, alongside a network of AI collaborators.
Her speech, which included humorous remarks delivered in Viennese German through her multilingual avatar, marked the opening of the Zero Project Conference at the United Nations in Vienna. This event, recognized as Europe’s largest gathering focused on accessibility, drew approximately 1,500 participants to engage in discussions, workshops, and innovation showcases.
For the first time, Lenovo—a global leader in technology—participated in the conference to reconnect with existing partners and explore advancements in assistive tech.
“We were honored to bring our mission of inclusive technology to such a meaningful platform,” said Calvin Crosslin, Lenovo Foundation President and Vice President of HR. “It was a valuable opportunity to share what we’ve developed, learn from others, and witness the transformative power of AI.”
The same system Taylor used in Parliament—featuring an interface designed by Lenovo and powered by a ThinkPad X12 detachable tablet—was originally unveiled at Lenovo Tech World last October, when Taylor introduced CEO Yuanqing Yang on stage. That event reflected years of collaboration with SMF.
SMF played a key role in bringing Lenovo into the Zero Project Conference, organizing discussions, connecting industry leaders, and identifying new opportunities where Lenovo’s AI and tech expertise could contribute to inclusive innovation.
“Erin’s message in the Austrian Parliament—that digital access is a human right—is a compelling example of what’s possible when technology is developed with empathy and intention,” said LaVonne Roberts, CEO of SMF US. “True progress in accessibility comes not from isolated solutions, but from partnerships. Our collaboration with Lenovo illustrates how blending lived experience with advanced technology leads to smarter, more scalable innovations.”
Designing for Inclusion from the Start
A common theme at the conference was the “curb-cut effect”—where changes made for accessibility end up benefiting a much broader population. Features like sidewalk ramps, originally created for wheelchair users, now support parents, shoppers, and others navigating cities. The takeaway: innovation rooted in inclusivity often has far-reaching impact.
“There are over 2.5 billion people globally who currently need assistive tech—and that number could rise to 3.5 billion by 2050,” Roberts noted. “At SMF, we treat this not as a statistic, but a mandate to act. Each figure represents an individual with untapped potential waiting to be unlocked through inclusive technology.”
Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office (PDO) is guided by a similar principle, reviewing products to ensure they serve a diverse range of users around the world.
“We don’t stop at meeting compliance standards—we aim to foster a culture of inclusive innovation,” said Ada Lopez, PDO lead and conference participant. “This event demonstrated what’s already achievable, and reminded us how much more is possible through collaboration. At Lenovo, combining different ideas and technologies is key to creating assistive solutions that benefit everyone.”
Lopez also offered practical advice during the conference to organizations of all sizes on how to scale and implement accessibility-focused innovations.
Uniting for a More Accessible World
Crosslin joined a panel titled “AI for All,” where he spoke on democratizing access to technology. He also reviewed assistive tech proposals submitted by global entrepreneurs.
“Often, innovation happens in isolation—focused on a single problem for a narrow audience,” he said. “But this limits what’s possible. Erin’s avatar is proof of what can be achieved through collective effort—the result is far more powerful than anything developed alone.”
SMF led the creation of the avatar, integrating AI tools like D-ID’s custom avatars, ElevenLabs’ synthetic voices, and eye-tracking software from IRISBOND. Lenovo developed the platform and provided devices for global testing among people with ALS.
“The work by SMF, their partners, and our own Ada Lopez is pushing boundaries. It’s inspiring to witness,” Crosslin added. “We’re seeing real steps toward AI equity.”
The collaboration is expanding to include new partnerships, such as with Smartbox, a leader in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) technologies.
From the Conference to the Community
Following Zero Project, Crosslin and Lopez visited Lenovo’s largest European office in Bratislava, Slovakia.
“We brought the energy and insight from the event with us,” said Santiago Mendez, Lenovo’s Corporate Citizenship lead for EMEA, who also attended the conference. “We reflected on how our local initiatives can evolve and engage communities in meaningful ways.”
In Bratislava, they held discussions with staff, celebrated the contributions of employee resource groups, and explored strategies to build inclusivity into everything from product design to workplace culture.
Click here to know more Zero Project and Lenovo’s commitments to environmental, social, and governance excellence