HESP Seminar: Nina Benway (ECE)

Preparing for a Future of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) and clinical speech technologies may someday help clients access sufficiently-intense therapy services while also alleviating some caseload strain for speech-language pathologists (SLPs). AI-assisted practice, however, will require SLPs to scrutinize technology through the lens of evidence-based practice. SLPs are well-equipped for this task, but technology research often uses different terminology than clinical research. Therefore, this talk connects concepts from technology research to the terms used by SLPs, while sharpening SLP critical thinking around AI and clinical speech technology claims. Learners will apply this terminology and critical thinking framework to begin evaluating the quality of two recent research studies that describe the development and clinical validation of ChainingAI, an AI-assisted speech sound therapy tool based on Speech Motor Chaining (chaining.syr.edu).