So AI can understand “are we there yet”

Researchers want to tape kids talking so that AI can learn to understand what they are saying

A database being built by UNSW, Uni Sydney, Western Sydney U, Macquarie University, and Uni Melbourne will also be used for speech therapy, apps for learning to read and coaching ESL kids on pronunciation.

The team wants to get 750 children talking for two hours, to create an open-source speech database.

But is it, a learned reader asks, entirely wise to equip AI to understand the demands of an aggrieved child?

Campus Morning Mail is an independent newsletter written and published by Stephen Matchett, formerly a long-serving journalist at The Australian newspaper. The daily e-news column receives no undisclosed funding or other assistance from any organisation or individual. Subscribe