Disruptive and assistive technology offer new opportunities for everyone, but these opportunities are specifically more significant for people living with disability (PLWD). Frasil technology is designed to allow people with disabilities to access the Internet in those terms. Frasil offers PLWD a choice and a voice to embrace their personal preferences around most aspects of their lives and let them be heard. The portal reduces isolation and dramatically improves communication.
An Inspiring Leader Breathing Life into PLWDs
Fran Killoway is the Executive Chairman, Inventor, and Founder of Frasil Group Pty Ltd. Fran’s background in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), coupled with neural networking is not traditional. It is hard for people to believe that the 68-year-old female has brought such changes to the traditional computer logic and then added the complication of making AI and ML work for most PLWDs. The last 10 years have taught Fran to learn that ‘unless you live in the shoes of a PLWD, it is very hard to get technology like Frasil to work for them.’
Accepting Artificial Intelligence as the Future Technology
Frasil is demonstrating to the industry that artificial intelligence can be used for good and is not something to be afraid of. The company also accepts that Artificial Intelligence will become a core part of technology in the future. Even though Artificial Intelligence is seen as a threat, in Frasil’s case, it is used to allow PLWD the ability to access technology on their personal terms. Inside Frasil, most of the data comes from artificial intelligence interactions. It drives the future of the company and ensures the Frasil technology continually adapts to the needs of each PLWD by achieving a sense of independence for every user on their terms. These technological developments wouldn’t be a reality without AI, ML, and Quantum.
Experience as the Catalyst of Growth
Fran’s journey, as a professional, for the past ten years made her learn consistent lessons that awarded her with achievements. She has had the privilege to lead very strong teams with vulnerability and humility. The experience contributed to Fran’s strength and courage while making tough decisions. According to her, being vulnerable is all about the risks she took while building technology at the core of Frasil. Fran believes that as a leader when one puts themselves in the market, it is impossible to control the outcome. Humility is paramount to Fran and gives her the strength to recognize that nobody gets all the answers. She is comfortable relying on her team, which has talented people. Fran acknowledges that even though she is 69–she knows very little.
Four Barriers: One Woman and Her Passion to Conquer
Primal challenges always remind Fran of Einstein’s famous quote, “The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result.” By continually engaging with PLWD for over ten years, Frasil learned how to better connect theories and knowledge to reduce miscommunications.
The four pivotal challenges that Fran faced are listed below,
- People denied accepting that women of Fran’s age could know sophisticated neural networks, AI, and ML capabilities. There has been disbelief that Fran managed to develop the technology she has. And yet, Frasil exists today.
- Dealing with disbelief, disrespect, and rudeness from people for over ten years was tough on Fran. Each step of her life as a presenter of technology was challenging. Fran was forced to be respectful in circumstances when Frasil still needed assistance in investment. She was put at a hectic spot to either do it or risk Frasil’s debut in the market. Fran was unable to challenge the existing industry expertise because people refused to accept that a different presentation of intelligence could be achieved. This scenario was further exacerbated by Fran’s complete lack of front-end knowledge of computers, software, and Apps. While it is true that she can look at a screen, and ensure that it has the right message, she doesn’t need to know how to turn the screen on or navigate it properly.
- Fran became known for doing things reversely and upside down. This talent made her understand that everybody should deliver messages in different ways for people living with disabilities.
- The final hurdle Fran faced was realizing that all or most technology professionals are educated in a very similar way and the same school of thought. They present beautifully designed screens that looked pretty with lots of colours, which she was yet to learn.
‘Displaying Excellent Strategic Vision,’ a Must for Leaders
Fran opines that displaying an excellent strategic vision, for all stakeholders, is vital to ensure a strong client focus. It helps to create an atmosphere of reciprocal trust which is mandatory for innovative leaders. She believes in displaying absolute ethics around doing what is right for Frasil, the stakeholders, and PLWD. Fran says that as a leader, she encourages stakeholders to put their faith in the company’s culture to magnify upward growth. She highlights that both persuasive and negotiation skills are also vital attributes reinforced through continuous reflection.
Understanding the Need of PLWD and Addressing Them
Fran mentions that the simplest definition of appealing to Frasil’s audience is to go back to the very basics of why or what problem the Frasil technology is solving. Fran remarks that she likes to make PLWD feel like they are the centre of Frasil technology as individuals, and not as a group. Frasil is then able to start understanding each user’s emotions because the company observes PLWD on their terms emotionally. Fran underlines the fact that Frasil also encourages all types of feedback and is obliged to make suggested changes to each user’s feedback within 72 hours.
Driving Innovation through Disruptive Technologies
Fran unfolds that disruptive technologies are the key enablers for disruptive innovation because they act as a driving force behind the altercation of technologies like Frasil. She adds that artificial intelligence has the potential to greatly increase the efficiency of the existing economy. But companies like Frasil, that lead the way in the use of disruptive technologies, may have an even larger impact on innovation. Fran notifies that innovative companies see the likes of disruptive technologies as a new way of doing things that can reshape the nature of innovation, process, and the future organization of research and development.
Making Artificial Intelligence a Part of Everybody’s Life
Fran believes that artificial intelligence is going to change the world more than anything else. She highlights that artificial intelligence allows most problems to be reduced to their simplest starting point before they become complex solutions that allow for many versions of themselves across many applications in diverse industries. Fran concludes by saying that regardless of all the views, the impact artificial intelligence has and will have on everybody’s lives is very hard to ignore.
