Timeless inclusive design techniques for a world of agentic AI (www.techradar.com)

OpenAI’s new ear‑worn “IO” device — reportedly being designed with Jony Ive and revealed in recent legal filings — is being billed as a paradigm shift powered by agentic AI. The core argument here is straightforward: these AI agents will interact with the web and apps like another class of user, tabbing, clicking, filling forms and consuming audio-only interfaces. Big players are already racing to embed agents into browsers and platforms, so the ability of agents to navigate real-world web interfaces will determine how useful the new devices are in practice. That means decades-old inclusive design and progressive‑enhancement practices matter more than ever. Techniques such as semantic HTML, separation of concerns (HTML/CSS/JS), ARIA, keyboard accessibility, screen‑reader compatibility, skip links, resilient form validation, and frequent testing with accessibility tools are essential not just for people with disabilities but for AI agents too. Practical steps: apply accessible patterns, run automated and manual accessibility tests, and validate experiences with keyboard and screen‑reader flows. The implication is hopeful: designing for “robots” forces teams to fix brittle interfaces and can raise accessibility standards for all users, turning agentic AI into an accelerator for more inclusive digital products.