Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is set to host the landmark Interspeech 2026 Conference, the world’s largest event dedicated to spoken language processing, sponsored by Business Events Sydney (BESydney). Associate Professor Michael Proctor from Macquarie University led the successful bid on behalf of the Australasian Speech Science and Technology Association (ASSTA). The conference aims to bring approximately 1,200 global participants to Sydney and will highlight interdisciplinary approaches in speech science and technology. The organizing team, including academics from Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales, is focusing on themes such as multilingualism and under-resourced languages. BESydney’s support includes bidding advice, funding, and promotion to ensure a world-class conference experience.
Astraea’s Insight
Hosting the Interspeech 2026 Conference in Sydney underscores the strategic impact of collaboration between academia and professional event organizers like BESydney. This partnership exemplifies how cities can leverage local expertise to attract globally significant conferences that not only advance scientific discourse but also spotlight regional strengths, such as Australasia’s multilingual landscape. Importantly, the event’s focus on under-resourced languages could drive future research and policy developments in linguistic diversity. Sydney’s ability to secure such a prestigious event highlights the importance of strategic bidding and planning, setting a precedent for other regions aiming to enhance their global academic and industry presence.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The IEEE Standards Association has developed the IEEE 3119-2025 standard over the past three years to assist procurement teams in assessing risks related to AI and automated decision systems, especially in high-risk areas such as education, health, and employment. The draft standard initially included five processes: problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring. However, feedback from a European Union agency led to the inclusion of a sixth process, solicitation preparation. This process is aimed at enhancing AI-specific solicitations by requiring clear data requirements and considering the vendor’s AI governance maturity. The inclusion is crucial for adapting solicitations in emerging regulatory environments. The standard aligns with other internationally recognized standards for AI management, ethics, and software acquisition from IEEE and the International Organization for Standardization.
Astraea’s Insight
The development of the IEEE 3119-2025 standard signifies a crucial step forward in creating a structured approach to AI procurement, addressing the complexities and risks associated with automated decision systems in public sectors. The addition of the solicitation preparation process shows an awareness of the dynamic nature of the AI landscape, especially as regulatory environments evolve. The standard not only helps institutions implement AI ethically and effectively but also supports transparency and maturity assessment in vendor governance, contributing to the responsible adoption of AI technologies. By incorporating global feedback, particularly from EU agencies, the standard reflects a broad spectrum of insights and adapts to real-world challenges faced by procurement teams, thereby promoting more robust and accountable AI system implementations.