A New Partnership to Empower Stuttering Voices in Speech AI
Advancing Inclusive Speech AI
Trained for fluent speech, most AI systems fail those who stutter. Our partnership aims to change that.
The Current Challenge
Most speech AI systems today are trained and optimized for fluent speech, which means they don’t perform well for people who stutter.
This leads to frustrating experiences where technology fails to understand or misinterprets stuttered speech, limiting access and inclusion.
Our Groundbreaking Initiative
Through this partnership with academia and industry, we're building more inclusive speech AI systems that recognize, respect, and respond to stuttered speech.
We're calling on people who stutter to contribute your voices, so that researchers can develop technology that works for you.
"This project has already shown improvements in voice recognition technology for people with diverse voices."
"We’re looking forward to working with members of the stuttering community to make sure they’re able to use their voices with technology, as well."
Mark Hasegawa-Johnson
Professor of electrical and computer engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Leader of the Speech Accessibility Project
Why We’re Joining This Effort
At AImpower.org, we're committed to bringing tangible benefits to the communities we serve.
Community Feedback
In our research with the stuttering community, we’ve consistently heard frustrations with everyday speech AI products, along with a strong desire to interact with these technologies as effectively as fluent speakers do.
"Nothing About Us Without Us"
This partnership is our response to the community's call, and a reflection of the disability movement’s motto: technology that affects us should be developed with us, not for us.
Our Role in the Project
We’re excited to serve as the intermediary between the stuttering community and the researchers and developers building next-generation speech AI.
Community Outreach
Actively communicating the goals of this initiative to the stuttering community.
Advocacy
Representing the lived experiences, aspirations, and perspectives of the stuttering community in shaping the future of speech AI technologies.
Our Commitment
We don’t just collect data—we ensure your voice is heard and respected throughout the development process. Our team works tirelessly to make sure the technology being built truly serves the needs of the stuttering community.
Our Goals
Representation
Ensure stuttered speech is meaningfully and authentically represented in the dataset, capturing the rich diversity and variability of stuttering as it occurs in real life.
Empowerment
Design a data collection experience where every participant feels heard, respected, and valued—not just as a data point, but as a contributor to a public and communal good.
Connection & Awareness
Create space for meaningful dialogues – between stutterers and allies—about identity, challenges, and joy of stuttering. In our past work, we’ve seen lasting bonds and a deep sense of belonging emerge from these conversations. Together, we will build not only technology, but also friendships and public awareness.
To the Stuttering Community
Your voice matters. Your voice belongs. Your voice can change the future of AI.
Why Your Contribution Matters
By sharing your voice, you're helping researchers and developers build AI systems that understand and respect stuttered speech.
Let's make sure AI learns that your stutter is not a defect—it’s a different way of speaking.