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Global Disability Summit: Side Event Al for development - bridging the barrier between non-standard speech and the use of Automatic Speech Recognition

Global Disability Innovation Hub
April 2, 2025
5:45pm
Germany

Date: Wednesday, 2 April
Time: 17:45 - 18:45
Location: Global Disability Summit, Berlin, Hall 4.2

GDS side event flyer. AI for development - bridging the barrier between non-standard speech and the use of Automatic Speech Recognition. The power of AI innovation, and how digital technologies, combined with research, capacity building, local knowledge and local languages have the power to change lives. Joining the panel: Google, Global Disability Innovation Hub & Talking Tipps Africa - sharing practical examples of emerging innovation including the new Centre for Digital Language Inclusion.

Overview

AI is increasingly embedded in our daily lives, and it has the potential to revolutionise many areas, including assistive technologies.

This side event, co-hosted by the Global Disability Innovation Hub and Google at the Global Disability Summit (GDS), explores the intersection of AI and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), focusing on bridging the gap for people with non-standard speech. Through digital innovation and local expertise, AI holds transformative potential to enable better communication for individuals with speech challenges.

We will explore the importance of local knowledge, research, and digital capacity building and how bespoke AI solutions can create lasting change for individuals with diverse communication needs.

This session will showcase practical examples of how Google, alongside the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s AT2030 Programme, is pioneering AI development and pushing forward the Centre for Digital Language Inclusion. This centre focuses on AI-powered speech recognition for non-standard speech, with local language models provided as an open-source resource.

Key Speakers:

  • Christopher Patnoe – Head of EMEA Accessibility and Disability Innovation, Google
  • Professor Catherine Holloway – Co-Founder and Academic Director of the Global Disability Innovation Hub; Professor of Interaction Design & Innovation, UCL
  • Dr. Richard Cave – Research Fellow, Global Disability Innovation Hub; Speech and Language Therapist
  • Gifty Ayoka – Founder, Talking Tipps Africa Foundation; Advocate for disability inclusion and access to assistive technology
  • Yvonne Johnson – Advocate for AI and Diversity, specialising in non-standard speech solutions

About the AT2030 Programme

The AT2030 Programme, funded by UK International Development, seeks to test "what works" to provide life-changing assistive technologies to individuals worldwide.

This initiative focuses on developing accessible solutions, ensuring that those with disabilities, particularly in emerging markets, have access to the technologies they need for greater independence and inclusion.

Join Us!

If you're attending the Global Disability Summit, join us for this critical discussion on AI and assistive technologies. Discover how innovations in speech recognition technology are breaking barriers for individuals with non-standard speech and promoting accessibility across cultures and languages.

We look forward to seeing you at Hall 4.2 on Wednesday, 2 April, from 5:45 - 6:45 PM!