The December news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs. Dated 16 December 2024.

• Derek reflects back on 2024, looking at some of the big changes.
• Campaigns and how to get involved. Including Mikey Ackers' petition to Parliament which will be debated in the House of Commons on 27 January.
• What's happening around the nations of the UK.

Useful links:
Inclusive Communication in Parliament coalition:
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-joins-inclusive-parliament-coalition/

Campaign on Primary Progressive Aphasia:
https://www.rcslt.org/news/campaign-to-improve-care-for-people-living-with-primary-progressive-aphasia-ppa-launched/

Mikey's Wish petition
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-thanks-signatories-of-mikey-akers-invest-in-slt-petition/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT. It was produced and edited by freelance producer, Jacques Strauss.

Release date:

16 December 2024

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

What is the role of AI in AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication)?
In this episode Professor Annalu Waller, Professor of Human Communication Technologies at the University of Dundee and Alan McGregor, ex UK team paralympic swimmer and honorary researcher at the University of Dundee take us through what it can do now and developments they'd like to see.

We cover:

• What is AI's role in AAC?
• How can we use generative AAC to expand on communication?
• What are some of the ethical considerations?
• What Annalu and Alan would like to see in the future.

Interviewees:

Professor Annalu Waller, Professor of Human Communication Technologies at the University of Dundee and lead for the Augmentative and Alternate Communication Research Group at the university.

Alan McGregor, ex UK team paralympic swimmer, part of the Straight Talking Group – and honorary researcher at the University of Dundee.

During the conversation Alan is supported by his assistant, Cindy Macfarlane.

Resources:

Here are some links which relate to AI and AAC:

• https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-augmentative-and-alternative
• https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/telling-tales-unlocking-the-potential-of-aac-technologies
• https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/blending-human-and-artificial-intelligence-to-support-autistic-ch
• https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/personal-storytelling-using-natural-language-generation-for-child
• https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/evaluating-the-standup-pun-generating-software-with-children-with

Groups:

• Dundee Accessibility and Assistive Technology Research Group: https://aac.dundee.ac.uk/
• Straight Talking Group: https://aac.dundee.ac.uk/stg/

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In this, the first of our conversations around AI in speech and language therapy, we chat with Rachel Barton, speech and language therapist about her journey from AI sceptic to AI advocate.

Rachel shares what she has learned and offers ideas on how others might approach AI in their work. Rachel also advises on areas of caution and talks about her pledge for responsible generative AI use in speech and language therapy.

Interviewee:

Rachel Barton, independent speech and language therapist and Professional Supervisor, Chatterbox Sussex Speech and Language Therapy Ltd


Resources:

• Henrik Kniberg “Generative AI in a Nutshell - how to survive and thrive in the age of AI”
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IK3DFHRFfw
  
  
• Ethan Mollick “Co-Intelligence – Living and Working with AI” (2024) Penguin https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460207/co-intelligence-by-mollick-ethan/9780753560778
  
• Jordan Wilson’s daily livestream, podcast and newsletter https://www.youreverydayai.com/about-everyday-ai-podcast/
  
• https://www.chatterboxsussex.com/blog - this has a more in-depth blog on the SERVE prompt framework as well as other blogs on WordMango, Bias, how AI might help with waiting times and the responsible AI pledge.
  
• https://www.chatterboxsussex.com/aiworkshops - more information about Rachel's AI journey and work, with a link to suggested further learning materials including podcasts, videos, websites and research articles

For RCSLT Members only:

• Artificial Intelligence resources: https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/artificial-intelligence-resources/
• Integrating Generative AI in speech and language therapy: a practical guide https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/lessons/ai-in-slt/

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R