Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is preparing to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, a major international event focused on the science and technology of spoken language processing. Organized with the support of Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the conference aims to spotlight the region’s multilingual diversity and stimulate interest in under-resourced languages. Associate Professor Michael Proctor from Macquarie University led the successful bid to host this event, alongside colleagues from UNSW. Interspeech is the largest conference in its field and will feature various sessions, including expert talks, tutorials, and exhibitions, attracting around 1,200 participants globally. BESydney plays a crucial role in supporting the organization of such conferences through strategic advice, funding, and promotional efforts.
Astraea’s Insight
The successful bid to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference in Sydney underscores the importance of collaboration across academic institutions and the need for strategic planning and support. It highlights the role that regional diversity can play in enriching global discourse in speech science, with a particular emphasis on under-resourced languages. Furthermore, the proactive involvement of organizations like BESydney illustrates how structured support and guidance can enhance conference outcomes, providing a blueprint for future events. This event represents a significant opportunity to foster international cooperation and innovation in speech science, and highlights the potential for academic conferences to drive positive change in research and industry sectors.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The new IEEE 3119-2025 standard has been developed to guide procurement teams in acquiring artificial intelligence and automated decision systems, especially within high-risk domains like government sectors in education, health, and employment. Over three years, the IEEE Standards Association, along with a European Union agency, worked on refining this draft standard. Originally, it contained five key processes: problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring, to help manage and mitigate risks associated with AI systems. Based on EU feedback, an additional step, solicitation preparation, was added to address challenges with AI-specific solicitations, especially relevant in rapidly evolving regulatory landscapes. This process includes focusing on transparency, robust data requirements, and the maturity of vendor AI governance.
Astraea’s Insight
The inclusion of the solicitation preparation process reflects a pragmatic shift towards addressing real-world procurement challenges in the AI domain. This proactive move underscores the importance of adaptability and responsiveness to the varying regulatory and technological landscapes affecting AI acquisitions. By prioritizing solicitation preparation, the standard equips procurement teams not just with procedural guidance, but with the tools needed to navigate complexities in AI ethics and governance. It also highlights the critical role of feedback loops, like the one provided by the EU agency, in evolving standards that keep pace with technological advancements and governance demands. As AI continues to transform various sectors, standards like IEEE 3119-2025 are crucial in balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.