AI and Speech?

AI is a consuming topic in my life and in my household. I’m using AI right now to talk to text some of this blog post. But more than that, family members are involved in the industry or use the tools to make their job faster or easier.

But even for example, in the Super Bowl commercials that we saw, so many revolved around AI and technology. It’s just not something we can get away from.

I’ve had a few conversations with speech therapists as well, to try to learn what tools and techniques they’re using that may have developed from AI. Additionally, there are reported shortages of speech therapists, so AI might help speech therapists do their jobs faster and easier.

With all this in mind, I went to ChatGPT to find out what some of these tools and techniques might be for a speech therapist. Here are a few things out there.

AI Screening and Diagnostic Tools

• AI screening for language/speech disorders is being developed (e.g., University at Buffalo research). It automates early risk detection for children by analyzing responses (e.g., sentence recall tasks).
  
• Broader reviews highlight how AI speech recognition + natural language processing can support more accurate, scalable diagnostics and intervention planning.

Benefits:
✔ Faster and often more sensitive screening
✔ Supports clinicians by spotlighting patterns over time
✔ Increases reach where SLP shortages exist

AI + Gamified Speech Rehabilitation

• Systematic reviews show serious games with speech recognition and adaptive difficulty improve motivation and participation in children’s speech learning. AI personalizes feedback and tracks progress.

Benefits:
✔ Better long-term engagement—especially important for children
✔ Reduced reliance on in-session therapist time
✔ Fun, adaptive practice that responds to performance

Teletherapy & Hybrid Service Models

• Telepractice long transitioned from pandemic innovation to routine clinical delivery, expanding access and flexibility for clinicians and families.

Benefits:
✔ Greater geographic access, reduced travel barriers
✔ Therapists can serve more clients with flexible scheduling

Just to summarize, I am aware that there is not a one size fits all approach to speech therapy. I also know that many SLP’s do not prefer online, but in times of change, and radical advancement it is important to look at all the options available. And SLP’s have to remember too that parents are using the internet to learn about all these advancements as well!