Speech Tech Lab

About Us

The Speech Technology Lab specializes in speech technology challenges, with special emphasis on “small data” and social impact. We want to see what can be done with as little data as possible for the greater good. Consequently, we work on topics around small languages, improved human-machine interaction, and speech tech ethics. A cornerstone of our work is our commitment to co-development with local partners, ensuring that our technological solutions are culturally appropriate and ethically sound. Our interdisciplinary team combines technical prowess in speech technology with a deep understanding of the ethical implications of AI in linguistic contexts. We're well-positioned to contribute to projects that bridge the digital divide in language technology.

Leadership in the Speech Tech Community

Speech Tech Lab members serve in various roles and capacities in the community, indicative of our intention to foment social impact. Our members serve roles including:

• Organizers, Speech Synthesis Workshop / Blizzard Challenge 2025

• Ethics Committee, INTERSPEECH 2025

• Exhibition Committee, INTERSPEECH 2025

• Co-organizers, Dutch Speech Tech Day 2023 -- 2025

• Sponsor, Young Female Researchers in Speech INTERSPEECH workshop 2023 -- 2025

• Vice Chair, Language in the Human-Machine Era COST Action

• … among much more.

Contact us

We welcome inquiries from potential collaborators, research partners, media, and anyone interested in the work we do at the Speech Technology Lab. Please feel free to contact our lab director, Dr Vass Verkhodanova.