Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is set to host the prestigious Interspeech 2026 Conference, the world’s largest event focused on the science and technology of spoken language processing. The successful bid was led by Macquarie University’s Associate Professor Michael Proctor, in collaboration with ASSTA and supported by BESydney, which has over 50 years of experience in hosting international conferences. Interspeech 2026 will attract around 1,200 participants globally and will feature multidisciplinary presentations, exhibitions, and activities focusing on diverse speech science topics. A significant goal of the conference is to leverage the multilingual backdrop of Australasia to drive focus towards under-resourced languages and diverse speech research.
Astraea’s Insight
The decision to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference in Sydney underscores the importance of strategic planning and collaboration in organizing international events. This conference not only highlights the regional linguistic diversity but also positions Sydney as a hub for innovation in speech science. It opens opportunities for local and global researchers to engage in discourse that can shape future directions in speech technology. Additionally, focusing on under-resourced languages could lead to technological advancements that benefit broader communities, aligning academia with impactful, real-world applications. This initiative exemplifies how concerted academic and institutional efforts can drive significant contributions to both science and society.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The IEEE Standards Association has developed a new standard, IEEE 3119-2025, to guide procurement teams in acquiring artificial intelligence and automated decision systems, specifically in high-risk domains like education, health, and employment. The guideline, refined over three years, aims to help teams identify and manage risks related to AI procurement. Initially containing five processes—problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring—the standard now includes an additional process: solicitation preparation. This change was made following feedback from a European Union agency, which highlighted the importance of adapting solicitations in light of emerging regulatory environments. The standard als stresses the importance of transparency, robust data requirements, and vendor AI governance. This complements existing international standards for AI management and ethics provided by organizations like IEEE and ISO.
Astraea’s Insight
The addition of the solicitation preparation process to the IEEE 3119-2025 standard underscores a significant evolution in how procurement teams should approach AI systems. It reflects a growing understanding that the complexity and risks associated with AI demand more flexible and adaptive procurement strategies. Solicitation preparation is crucial for ensuring that AI systems purchased by public entities are both effective and ethically compliant, especially given the dynamic regulatory landscapes surrounding AI technology. By integrating this step, the standard promotes a more holistic and robust approach to AI procurement, anticipating changes and challenges in AI governance and ensuring procurement teams are equipped to address them proactively. This advancement is critical for aligning AI acquisitions with both technical requirements and ethical considerations, thus fostering responsible AI deployment in sensitive areas.