diff --git a/scripts/ai.py b/scripts/ai.py
index 06182e4..4d0a372 100755
--- a/scripts/ai.py
+++ b/scripts/ai.py
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ Provides accessibility-focused AI interaction with multiple providers
 
 import gi
 gi.require_version('Gtk', '3.0')
-from gi.repository import Gtk, GLib, Gdk
+gi.require_version('Atk', '1.0')
+from gi.repository import Gtk, GLib, Gdk, Atk
 import json
 import os
 import subprocess
@@ -17,7 +18,6 @@ import i3ipc
 import threading
 import requests
 import time
-import pyaudio
 import wave
 
 class SystemCommands:
@@ -63,29 +63,33 @@ class SystemCommands:
 
 class VoiceRecognition:
     """Voice recognition system for AI assistant"""
-    
+
     def __init__(self, config):
         self.config = config
         self.is_recording = False
         self.audio = None
         self.stream = None
-        
+
         # Audio settings
         self.sample_rate = 16000
         self.chunk_size = 1024
-        self.audio_format = pyaudio.paInt16
         self.channels = 1
-        
+
         try:
+            import pyaudio
             import speech_recognition as sr
+            self.pyaudio = pyaudio
+            self.audio_format = pyaudio.paInt16
             self.recognizer = sr.Recognizer()
             self.microphone = sr.Microphone()
             self.sr_available = True
-            
+
             # Adjust for ambient noise
             with self.microphone as source:
                 self.recognizer.adjust_for_ambient_noise(source)
         except ImportError:
+            self.pyaudio = None
+            self.audio_format = None
             self.sr_available = False
             self.recognizer = None
             self.microphone = None
@@ -96,11 +100,11 @@ class VoiceRecognition:
     
     def start_recording(self):
         """Start recording audio"""
-        if not self.sr_available:
+        if not self.sr_available or not self.pyaudio:
             return False
-        
+
         try:
-            self.audio = pyaudio.PyAudio()
+            self.audio = self.pyaudio.PyAudio()
             self.is_recording = True
             return True
         except Exception as e:
@@ -287,8 +291,9 @@ class OllamaInterface:
                 'prompt': message,
                 'stream': False
             }
-            
-            if context and not context.startswith("You are a helpful AI assistant"):
+
+            # Add system context if provided
+            if context:
                 data['system'] = context
             
             # Handle image if provided
@@ -332,9 +337,9 @@ class ClaudeCodeInterface:
         """Send message to Claude Code"""
         try:
             cmd = ['claude']
-            
+
             # Add context if provided
-            if context and not context.startswith("You are a helpful AI assistant"):
+            if context:
                 message = f"Context: {context}\n\n{message}"
             
             # Add image if provided
@@ -372,7 +377,7 @@ class CodexCliInterface:
         """Send message to Codex CLI using non-interactive exec mode"""
         try:
             full_message = message
-            if context and not context.startswith("You are a helpful AI assistant"):
+            if context:
                 full_message = f"Context: {context}\n\n{message}"
 
             cmd = ['codex', 'exec', '--skip-git-repo-check', '--sandbox', 'read-only']
@@ -697,11 +702,15 @@ class AiAssistant(Gtk.Window):
         self.responseText.set_editable(False)
         self.responseText.set_can_focus(True)
         self.responseText.set_accepts_tab(False)
-        
+
         # Set accessibility properties for response
         response_atk = self.responseText.get_accessible()
         response_atk.set_name("AI Response")
         response_atk.set_description("AI assistant's response to your question")
+
+        # Make this a live region so screen readers automatically announce new content
+        # Note: ATK live region support in GTK3 is limited, so we rely primarily on focus management
+        # in set_response_text() to ensure Orca reads new responses
         
         # Link response label to text view
         self.responseLabel.set_mnemonic_widget(self.responseText)
@@ -1298,6 +1307,10 @@ class AiAssistant(Gtk.Window):
         """Set text in response text view"""
         buffer = self.responseText.get_buffer()
         buffer.set_text(text)
+
+        # Move focus to the response so Orca reads it immediately
+        # This is the most reliable way to ensure screen readers announce new content
+        GLib.idle_add(self.responseText.grab_focus)
     
     def append_response_text(self, text):
         """Append text to response text view"""