Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is set to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, the largest international conference on the science and technology of spoken language processing. This event, expected to draw around 1,200 participants from around the world, is organized by the Australasian Speech Science and Technology Association (ASSTA) with the support of Business Events Sydney (BESydney), which provides planning and promotional support. Key figures behind the successful bid include Associate Professor Michael Proctor from Macquarie University, along with Associate Professors Beena Ahmed and Vidhya Sethu from the University of NSW. The conference’s aim is to spotlight the linguistic diversity of Australasia and emphasize under-resourced languages, appealing to the global speech science community. Interspeech 2026 will feature a variety of sessions, including expert tutorials, presentations, and exhibitions.
Astraea’s Insight
This article underscores the pivotal role of strategic collaboration and expert guidance in securing and organizing major international conferences. The successful bid for Interspeech 2026 in Sydney exemplifies how academic partnerships and support from experienced event organizers like BESydney can draw global attention to regional linguistic diversity and drive advancements in speech science. As such, the conference not only serves as a platform for sharing cutting-edge research but also as a catalyst for addressing global challenges in linguistic diversity and under-resourced languages. Future conference bids might benefit from a similar approach, focusing on unique regional strengths and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The IEEE Standards Association has developed a new standard, IEEE 3119-2025, aimed at assisting procurement teams in managing risks when acquiring artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision systems, particularly in high-risk domains. Initially, the standard included five key processes: problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring. Following a collaboration with a European Union agency, a sixth process, solicitation preparation, was added. This additional step helps organizations address the challenges of preparing AI-specific solicitations, including transparent data requirements and vendor AI governance maturity. The EU agency’s feedback emphasized the importance of solicitation preparation to adapt procurement to emerging and evolving regulatory environments. The IEEE standard complements existing international standards for AI management and ethics.
Astraea’s Insight
The integration of the solicitation preparation process in the IEEE 3119-2025 standard underscores the growing recognition of the complexities and dynamic nature of AI procurement. As organizations increasingly rely on AI in sensitive domains, the ability to anticipate and manage potential risks becomes crucial. The standard’s emphasis on transparency, robust data requirements, and adaptive solicitation processes aligns with industry trends advocating for responsible AI development and accountability. By incorporating flexible and comprehensive procurement steps, organizations can better navigate the rapidly changing AI landscape and evolving regulatory frameworks, positioning themselves as leaders in ethical and effective AI deployment.