Blind Egyptian coder launches AI app that narrates real-time scenes for the visually impaired
Mark Morad, a blind Egyptian developer, created ScribeMe, an AI-driven app that turns a phone camera or smart glasses into an audio guide, letting blind users hear detailed descriptions of their surroundings.
Mark Morad, who became completely blind by late 2021, self-studied coding after conventional screen readers failed to interpret visual content in school. By 2023 he had a working prototype that grew into ScribeMe, an AI-powered application that uses computer-vision to describe live camera feeds aloud. The tool supports around 20 languages, notably Arabic, and can read documents in more than 50 languages via OCR.
It is compatible with iPhone, Android and Meta smart glasses, enabling users like his sister Karen to navigate a Kenyan safari while keeping a hand free for a cane. ScribeMe is used by thousands across 140 nations, offered free with optional subscription plans of $20 per month or $200 per year. The Morad family credits the app for expanding independence and challenging the notion of impossibility for blind individuals.
Why it matters
The app provides a scalable, AI-based solution that enhances independence for millions of visually impaired people worldwide.
In this story
