How AI is enhancing independence for the speech-impaired

Speech is one of the most defining qualities of human beings. But for the 80 million adults and children in Europe living with speech impairments, according to figures from the Council of the European Union, even basic communication can be a challenge. Extensive European Commission studies have shown that such impairments can have major negative emotional and social impacts and can also get in the way of parents', teachers', and medical practitioners' ability to provide effective care. But Israeli research, backed by the EU's Horizon 2020 programme, is helping Europe's speech-impaired find their voice. "Mainstream speech recognition is developed with only'normal' speech in mind," says Danny Weissberg, CEO of Israeli startup Voiceitt.