Tech4ALL Digest, September 24
September 25, 2024Tech4ALL Digest, October 22
October 22, 2024
Our Progress

We have officially kicked off our NSF grant project, “Destigmatizing Disfluencies in Speech AI with Grassroots Stuttering Communities” last week! The project team currently consists of Shaomei Wu (co-PI) and Jingjin Li from AImpower.org, as well as Professor Norman Makoto Su (PI), Peiyao Liu, and Rebecca Lietz from the Computational Media Department, UC Santa Cruz. With the support from the StammerTalk community, we are ready to develop and design stuttering-friendly speech technologies and build a run book for grassroots AI! Stay tuned for our progress!
We are grateful for a general development grant from the San Francisco Foundation! As we expand our program and onboard our first two staff members, this grant provides crucial support for our technical research and operations!
We at AImpower.org proudly join a global collective of stuttering support and self-advocacy organizations to call for action from Samsung regarding their problematic Impulse App campaign. We do not need more fluency-focused solutions infused with AI that further stigmatize stuttering. We need affirmative AI technologies that empower people who stutter to speak authentically and coach the society to listen better – something AImpower.org is building! Read the stuttering community’s open letter to Samsung here.

Journey with James as he shares his experience living with “whale eyes” (strabismus). This touching video explores the challenges of perception, adaptation, and social connection. James invites viewers to understand his unique perspective, encouraging empathy and bridging the gap between different ways of seeing the world. Full Video » I Have a Visual Disability, And I Want You To Look Me In the Eye | NYT Opinion
One Product

Delete Nothing is a trilingual web-based survey tool that aims to document instances of technology-related violence in Sri Lanka, particularly but not limited to the experiences of girls, women, and queer and trans people in Sri Lanka. Full info » Delete Nothing
One Tip

David H. Guston explores the complex nature of academic impact beyond traditional metrics. He proposes a nuanced framework for understanding, pursuing, and measuring scholarly influence on policy, thinking, and people. Guston introduces an “impact catechism” to guide academics and institutions in creating meaningful societal change through their work. Full Article » What We Talk About When We Talk About Impact
One Event

Date: 2024-11-07
Join the Public Interest Technology University Network’s Summit 2024 at San José State University, November 7-8. Explore workforce development and social impact through technology. Connect with leaders from academia, government, civil society, and industry. Virtual attendance available for public sessions. Shape the future of public interest technology. Full Info » PIT-UN Summit 2024: Transforming Technology for Public Good
Jobs

The Global Investigative Journalism Network unites and supports investigative journalists worldwide. With 251 member organizations across 95 countries, GIJN provides essential resources, training, and networking opportunities. Now they have jobs ranging from development manager to daily news interns. Full Info >> Global Investigative Journalism Network
