Bridging the Silence: How LEO Satellites and Edge AI Will Democratize Connectivity

Billions of people lack the consistent internet connectivity required for modern assistive technologies, creating a significant barrier for individuals who rely on cloud-based AI. A proposed solution combines Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations for global connectivity with Edge AI, which runs machine learning models directly on user devices. This hybrid approach reduces reliance on stable, high-bandwidth connections, improves user privacy by processing data locally, and makes assistive AI more resilient. By optimizing models for on-device inference, as demonstrated with a sample gesture-recognition network, this architecture can democratize access to essential communication tools. This system ensures that inclusion is not tied to location but becomes a universally accessible standard.