Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is set to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, thanks to the successful bid led by Associate Professor Michael Proctor of Macquarie University and colleagues from the University of NSW. The conference is the largest global event on spoken language processing, featuring expert speakers, tutorials, and numerous sessions, and will attract about 1,200 international participants. Business Events Sydney (BESydney) played a significant role in supporting the bid process, offering resources and guidance to ensure a world-class event. This conference emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches in speech science and technology. The choice of Sydney was motivated by the region’s rich multilingual environment and aims to highlight and address the diversity and needs of under-resourced languages.
Astraea’s Insight
The hosting of the Interspeech 2026 in Sydney signifies not only an academic milestone for Australasia but also an opportunity to bring attention to the linguistic diversity of the region. This event can potentially drive significant advancements in addressing the needs of under-resourced languages, showcasing Sydney as a hub for robust research and cultural inclusivity. For the scientific community, this conference underscores the importance of collaboration and strategic planning in creating successful international academic gatherings. The involvement of BESydney highlights the critical role of specialized organizations in facilitating such high-profile conferences by providing leadership, insight, and support in the planning process.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The IEEE Standards Association has finalized IEEE 3119-2025, a new standard aimed at guiding procurement teams in acquiring artificial intelligence and automated decision systems within high-risk domains like education, health, and employment. The standard provides six processes: problem definition, solicitation preparation (a newly added step), vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring. These steps are designed to help organizations identify, mitigate, and monitor risks associated with AI systems. After working with a European Union agency, the working group incorporated the new step of solicitation preparation to better address the need for clear data requirements and queries about vendor AI governance. This addition allows for adaptation in solicitation processes, particularly important amidst evolving regulatory environments. The IEEE’s new standard complements existing internationally accepted AI and software acquisition standards.
Astraea’s Insight
The development of IEEE 3119-2025 reflects an increasing focus on risk management in the procurement of AI systems within high-stakes public sectors. The inclusion of “solicitation preparation” as a pivotal process underscores the need for robustness and transparency in AI acquisition, encouraging procurement teams to emphasize data requirements and responsible AI governance. This aligns with global trends towards ethical AI usage and regulation, highlighting the importance of adaptability in procurement strategies to comply with dynamic regulatory landscapes. By integrating this new standard, organizations can ensure a more comprehensive approach to AI procurement, which is critical given the potential societal impacts of deploying AI in high-risk domains.