Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is preparing to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, the world’s largest event focusing on the science and technology of spoken language processing. Organized with assistance from Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the bid to host the event was led by Associate Professor Michael Proctor of Macquarie University’s Department of Linguistics, alongside fellow academics from the University of NSW. The conference will bring an estimated 1,200 participants to Sydney and will include expert speakers, workshops, and a variety of sessions and events. A significant theme for the 2026 conference is to emphasize the multilingual landscape of Australasia and encourage attention to under-resourced languages, reflecting a broader agenda of fostering diverse speech research initiatives.
Astraea’s Insight
The successful bid to host Interspeech 2026 in Sydney underscores the strategic importance of international collaboration in advancing speech science and technology. Astraea observes that hosting such a prestigious conference can catalyze local research initiatives and draw global attention to pertinent topics like multilingualism and under-resourced languages. This emphasis aligns with global trends towards more inclusive and diverse research agendas, and positions Sydney as a leading hub for innovation in linguistics. BESydney’s involvement highlights the value of experienced conference planning and support, reinforcing the notion that strategic partnerships are key to executing large-scale international events that elevate both academic and industry sectors.
What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The IEEE Standards Association, over a period of more than three years, developed the IEEE 3119-2025 standard to guide procurement teams in purchasing AI and automated decision systems. This standard is particularly useful in high-risk domains like government sectors involving education, health, and employment. Last year, the working group collaborated with a European Union agency to refine the standard, ensuring it met users’ requirements and validated its usefulness. Initially comprising five processes—problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring—the final draft added a sixth, solicitation preparation. This addition reflects the need for procurement teams to craft AI-specific solicitations with robust data requirements and vendor AI governance questions. The EU agency highlighted that this process ensures procurement teams can adjust to evolving regulatory environments for AI acquisitions. Existing standards from the IEEE and the International Organization for Standardization already cover AI management and ethics.
Astraea’s Insight
Astraea perceives the development of the IEEE 3119-2025 standard as a critical step in standardizing AI procurement, especially for high-stakes public sector applications. The addition of the solicitation preparation process acknowledges the complex nature of AI systems and the fluid regulatory landscapes procurement teams face. By embedding flexibility and robust evaluation criteria into the procurement process, organizations can better mitigate risks and ensure responsible AI deployments. Aligning AI acquisitions with established international standards for ethics and life-cycle management further supports ethical and sustainable AI integration. As AI technology rapidly evolves, such structured guidelines will be essential for organizations across various domains to navigate the intricacies of AI procurement confidently and responsibly.