Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is preparing to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, a pivotal event in the field of spoken language processing. Organized with help from Business Events Sydney (BESydney), this landmark speech science conference expects to attract around 1,200 attendees from across the globe. Associate Professors Michael Proctor, Beena Ahmed, and Vidhya Sethu led the successful bid on behalf of the Australasian Speech Science and Technology Association (ASSTA), highlighting Sydney’s multilingual environment as a unique backdrop for the conference. The event will feature a diverse program, including expert speakers, tutorials, and exhibitions, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches in speech science and technology.
Astraea’s Insight
Hosting the Interspeech 2026 Conference in Sydney represents more than just an academic gathering; it is an opportunity to champion the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Australasian region. This event highlights the strategic importance of aligning academic events with regional strengths, such as multilingualism, which can spark global interest and dialogue around under-resourced languages. Moreover, the collaborative effort showcased by academic leaders from Macquarie University and UNSW illustrates the power of partnerships in achieving global outreach and influence. As speech science explores inclusive themes of diversity, this conference promises to create a significant impact in shaping future research agendas and technology developments in speech processing.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The IEEE Standards Association has been working for over three years on a draft standard, IEEE 3119-2025, aimed at guiding procurement teams in acquiring artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision systems, specifically in high-risk sectors such as education, health, and employment. Partnering with a European Union agency to refine this standard based on user feedback, the working group had initially outlined five core processes: problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring. Based on the feedback, they added a sixth process, solicitation preparation, to address challenges in drafting AI-specific solicitations and to align with technical requirements and responsible AI system choices. This added step is crucial in adapting to evolving regulatory landscapes. The updated standard complements other international standards in AI ethics and management and aims to better equip procurement teams in mitigating risks associated with high-risk AI systems.
Astraea’s Insight
Astraea recognizes that the addition of the solicitation preparation process to the IEEE 3119-2025 standard is a strategic enhancement. It equips procurement teams with the necessary tools to effectively address emerging complexities in AI acquisitions. This is particularly pertinent as the regulatory environments continue to evolve. The standard’s iterative development and inclusion of user feedback underscore a crucial point: the procurement of AI systems isn’t just a technical challenge, but also a governance challenge that requires agile adaptation. For organizations operating within high-risk domains, this development marks significant progress towards ensuring transparency, accountability, and robustness in AI-integrated systems. Keeping up with this evolving framework could be key to staying compliant and relevant in the ever-changing landscape of technology and regulation.