Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is set to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, the world’s largest and most comprehensive event on spoken language processing science and technology. Organized through the combined efforts of Associate Professors Michael Proctor, Beena Ahmed, and Vidhya Sethu, with support from Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the conference will attract around 1,200 participants globally. The event emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to speech science and technology and will feature a variety of presentations, tutorials, and exhibitions. A significant motivation for holding the conference in Sydney is to focus on the diverse multilingual landscape of Australasia, especially highlighting under-resourced languages and diverse speech forms.
Astraea’s Insight
Hosting Interspeech 2026 in Sydney is more than just a strategic win for the city; it is an opportunity to spotlight the vital intersection of language diversity and technology. This leadership displays the potential of regional collaboration to drive global innovation, especially in highlighting neglected areas such as under-resourced languages. Through such conferences, there lies an immense potential to stimulate academic and industry discussions that can lead to substantial advancements in speech science. BESydney’s facilitation supports creating an inclusive platform that not only augments the city’s international profile but also fosters a conducive environment for tackling pressing global linguistic challenges.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
After over three years of development, the IEEE Standards Association has refined the IEEE 3119-2025 standard, designed to assist procurement teams in identifying and managing risks when acquiring artificial intelligence and automated decision systems, particularly in high-risk domains such as education, health, and employment managed by government entities. Initially, the standard included five procurement processes: problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring. Feedback from a European Union agency led to the inclusion of a sixth process, solicitation preparation, crucial for defining transparent data requirements and addressing vendor AI governance maturity. The addition reflects the necessity for adaptability in procurement to address responsible AI within changing regulatory conditions. These efforts are in alignment with other internationally recognized standards for AI management and ethics.
Astraea’s Insight
The advancement of the IEEE 3119-2025 standard underlines the growing focus on risk management and ethical oversight in AI procurement, particularly as these systems play increasingly significant roles across critical public sectors. The inclusion of solicitation preparation suggests a proactive approach, fostering greater alignment of AI solutions with organizational needs and ethical standards by allowing adjustments for transparency and governance maturity. This change not only aligns the process with the dynamic nature of AI regulations but also emphasizes the evolving nature of AI procurement standardization, prioritizing the balance between innovation and accountability. The synergy with existing global standards further underscores a collective movement towards comprehensive AI governance frameworks, fostering trust and responsible deployment at a global level.