Explainable AI for All
Balaji Venkatesan, Thiruselvan Subramanian, Huay Ling Tay, Dhanalakshmi Hari · 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way societies process complex systems, both at a global scale, such as supply chains, and in individual-specific assistive technologies. Nevertheless, as AI is more likely to penetrate the decision-making process, the issues of the lack of transparency in black-box models have been increasing alongside them, as have the questions of trust, transparency, fairness, and accountability. The chapter advocates the adoption of explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a necessity in two impactful disciplines: sustainable supply chain management and easier accessibility for people with disabilities (PWDs). The environmental, ethical, and social impact of black-box AI algorithms in logistics, procurement, and stock optimization within supply chains is also unclear. Such systems, where explainability has been integrated, mean that policy regulators, logistics managers, and even consumers can understand the decision-making process based on sustainability objectives, such as carbon footprint reduction, fair labor practices, and circular economies. At the same time, AI-based access technologies, like screen reader technology or real-time sign language interpreter technology, need to be explainable to address the various, subtle needs of PWDs. Interpretability means that failure that users do not understand may exclude them and therefore not be repaired. XAI also offers customers more control by making AI-centered support systems more accessible, understandable, and ethical, allowing them to trust and effectively utilize these systems. Connected to technological advances and ethical liability, this chapter links XAI to make the world a better place for all people. It combines academic studies in various fields, practical examples, and worldwide recommendations to create a vision of establishing AI systems that will be intelligent, yet comprehensible, answerable, and accessible to everyone. Emphasizing the interdependence of Sustainable Development Goals targets, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requirements, and Indian National Education Policy 2020 priorities, the chapter suggests a conceptual shift in the understanding of AI systems, making them no longer an optional consideration.