Adobe InDesign version 21.2, released in January 2026, added an AI feature that automatically generates alt text — written descriptions of images used by screen readers to assist people who are blind or have low vision. The feature is on by default and has received mixed reactions from users about its accuracy.

The AI analyzes images placed in InDesign layouts and writes descriptive alt text for each image frame automatically, without requiring designers to write descriptions manually. This addresses a common accessibility compliance gap in professional publishing workflows, where alt text is frequently omitted. Early community feedback indicates the AI sometimes misidentifies content or generates generic descriptions lacking the nuance needed for meaningful accessibility. The same release also added ARIA roles and labels for EPUB documents to improve screen reader compatibility.