Disabling Digital Twins: A disability justice perspective on an emerging technology - Andrew Barnhart (University of Bonn)

Abstract: Digital twins, virtual replicas of individuals created using artificial intelligence, introduce complex ethical challenges when considered through the lens of disability. These technologies often rely on frameworks rooted in the medical model of disability, which conceptualizes disability as an individual deficit or medical condition to be treated or corrected. Such assumptions risk reinforcing ableist norms and marginalizing individuals whose health profiles deviate from technologically constructed standards of normalcy. Disability studies critique this reductionist approach, advocating for a shift to social or justice-oriented models that emphasize the societal and environmental factors contributing to disabling experiences. Digital twins not only potentially redefine norms of health and ability but also raise critical questions about equity, accessibility, and algorithmic bias, particularly for individuals with disabilities. These concerns are exacerbated by systemic power imbalances in healthcare and technology, which often exclude disabled individuals from meaningful participation in the design and governance of emerging technologies. A disability justice framework—rooted in principles of equity, accessibility, and respect for diversity—offers an alternative ethical approach, emphasizing participatory design and the dismantling of systemic barriers. By critically interrogating the concepts of normality and personhood embedded in digital twin technologies, this analysis highlights the need for inclusive and adaptive systems that respect the rights and experiences of individuals with disabilities. Far from being neutral tools, digital twins reflect the values and assumptions of their creators, underscoring the urgency of integrating disability perspectives to ensure these technologies foster equity and inclusion rather than perpetuating exclusion and harm.