The Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI)

Advancing non-standard speech in Automatic Speech Recognition

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About

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) is transforming the ability of people with non-standard speech to communicate. The prevalence of mobile devices, alongside free to access apps are making ASR accessible, convenient and less stigmatising for people with slurred or difficult-to-understand speech.

The Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) is pioneering inclusive ASR solutions for people with non-standard speech around the world.

Research

AI-powered communication tools have the potential to transform lives. Yet, many in Africa with non-standard speech lack access to this technology or traditional speech therapy.

The Centre for Digital Language Inclusion will advance digital language inclusion by:

Ensuring all languages and types of speech are supported by technology.
Developing inclusive solutions for people with communication difficulty.
Ensuring people know and can use the technology available to them.

Impact

Harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) these communication solutions have the potential to change lives.

Currently this technology is not available to those who would most benefit - non-English speaking populations in African countries, who often have the least access to traditional assistive technology and speech and language therapy.

First Steps

Collecting datasets of non-standard speech for 10 African languages, the CDLI will build ASR models, develop AI-driven inclusive communication technologies and train others in the use of this innovative technology.

A proven method of communication once language models are created, this is the first time non-standard speech will have been collected for ASR in native African languages, enabling the millions most in need of inclusive communication technology to access these new solutions.

News & Events

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Highlight

Inclusive ASR Innovation Sprint to Empower People with Non-Typical Speech in Kenya.

The second phase of the Centre for Digital and Language Inclusion (CDLI) initiative is now underway in Kenya, driving the development of inclusive Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems for people with non-typical or slurred speech, particularly in African languages. This marks the second innovation sprint in a pan-African effort to close the digital divide for individuals with speech impairments, building on a successful pilot in Ghana.

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

Centre for Digital Language Inclusion in Ghana

GDI Hub’s Richard Cave and Catherine Holloway are in Ghana advancing the Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI), launched with UCL, University of Ghana, and Talking Tipps Africa. CDLI is collecting non-standard speech data in African languages to build inclusive, open-source AI speech recognition tools, ensuring accessibility for disabled people with communication barriers.