Scaffolding the Margins: How Generative AI is Redefining Ethical Computing and Social Inclusion

[conference]

Full reference

Evi Togia, Manolis Wallace, and John Liaperdos, Scaffolding the Margins: How Generative AI is Redefining Ethical Computing and Social Inclusion, International Conference on Human-AI Collaboration & Augmented Intelligence (HAICAI 2026), Athens, Greece, April 23–24, 2026

Abstract

As modern society grows increasingly complex, access to essential services—including healthcare, legal aid, tailored education, and psychological support—remains heavily gated by socio-economic, neurological, and systemic barriers. This paper explores the transformative po-tential of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative Artificial Intelligence, framing them not merely as industrial productivity enhancers, but as vital "social scaffolds" capable of fostering a more inclusive society. We propose a fundamental paradigm shift in Ethical Computing: moving from a passive defensive framework of non-maleficence to an active mandate of beneficence. Under this expanded lens, AI systems are explicitly developed to serve marginalized and under-served populations by bridging "service deserts" where expertise is historically gated by cost, geography, or social stigma. We systematically analyze the impact of AI across four primary axes: socio-economic triage, neurospicy communicative bridges, pedagogical executive function support, and first-level mental health triage. By advocating for an "ethical-by-design" paradigm, we outline a trajectory for AI to act as a modern social safety net that actively dismantles historical barriers for the digitally and socially disenfranchised.