Accessibility & Inclusion Weekly AI News
September 22 - September 30, 2025This weekly update reveals major progress in making AI agents work better for all people, especially those who struggle with current technology systems. These developments focus on removing barriers that make it hard for people to get help with everyday tasks.
Customer service is getting a major upgrade through new AI agents that actually solve problems instead of just providing information. Quant, a technology company, launched their first agentic AI system that can complete entire tasks from start to finish. Unlike regular chatbots that often fail to help, these AI agents can book travel, change account settings, and handle payments without human help.
The company's research with 1,500 Americans revealed serious problems with current systems. 82% of people said their chatbot conversations usually end up needing a human anyway. Even worse, 57% of consumers reported having terrible customer service experiences. This shows why better AI agents matter - they can provide consistent, accurate help that doesn't leave people frustrated or stuck in endless loops.
Healthcare access is becoming more equal thanks to AI agents that handle basic tasks around the clock. Artera, a healthcare communication company, found that over 70% of hospital phone calls are for simple things like scheduling appointments or asking about departments. These routine tasks create long wait times and make it hard for patients to get care, especially outside normal business hours.
The new healthcare AI agents can handle appointment scheduling, cancellations, and basic questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is particularly helpful for people who work during the day, have disabilities that make phone calls difficult, or live in different time zones. By automating routine tasks, healthcare workers can focus on patients who need more complex care.
Technology companies are building the foundation for AI agents to work safely and effectively across different platforms. Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic are creating new protocols that let AI agents communicate with each other and complete transactions securely. Google's new AP2 payment protocol works with over 60 companies including PayPal and American Express to let AI agents make purchases safely.
These infrastructure improvements matter because they determine whether AI agents will be available to everyone or just people with technical knowledge. Companies that set these early standards often control how the technology develops, similar to how Google and Apple shaped mobile apps. The goal is creating systems where people can simply say what they want - like "book me a flight under $1,000" - and AI agents handle all the complicated steps.
Security and trust remain important challenges as AI agents become more powerful. Traditional security systems were designed for humans and simple computer programs, not for AI agents that can make decisions and work with other AI systems. New frameworks are being developed to track what AI agents can access and ensure they only use their permissions appropriately.
The rapid pace of development means these changes are happening faster than previous technology shifts like mobile phones or social media. Companies are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in agentic AI, with new improvements appearing almost daily. This speed suggests that AI agents will become common tools for accessing services much sooner than many people expect, potentially transforming how everyone interacts with technology and services.