MBZUAI doctoral student Hawau Toyin is applying AI to the identification, correction, and evaluation of stuttering, particularly in developing countries where it often goes undiagnosed. She is collaborating with the SpeechCare Center UAE and her advisor Dr. Hanan Aldarmaki to develop AI tools for faster and more accessible diagnosis and treatment. The research focuses on data collection from around the world to build an effective AI system that can analyze the various forms of stuttering. Why it matters: This research addresses a critical healthcare gap by leveraging AI to improve diagnosis and treatment of speech disorders in underserved regions.
Maha Elgarf from NYU Abu Dhabi presented research on using social robots to stimulate creativity in children through subconscious mimicry, leveraging the 'chameleon effect'. The research involved a series of studies where children engaged in storytelling with a social robot, and their creativity was assessed. Elgarf also discussed using Large Language Models (LLMs) in education and challenges in the field. Why it matters: This explores innovative applications of social robotics and AI in education within the UAE, potentially enhancing children's learning and creativity.
MBZUAI researchers introduce LLMVoX, a 30M-parameter, LLM-agnostic, autoregressive streaming text-to-speech (TTS) system that generates high-quality speech with low latency. The system preserves the capabilities of the base LLM and achieves a lower Word Error Rate compared to speech-enabled LLMs. LLMVoX supports seamless, infinite-length dialogues and generalizes to new languages with dataset adaptation, including Arabic.
MBZUAI student Karima Kadaoui is developing machine learning algorithms to help speech-impaired individuals communicate more easily. Her project aims to create an app that translates speech impediments into understandable language, facilitating communication with others and integration with voice-enabled technologies like Siri and Google Assistant. The AI-powered app could assist individuals with conditions such as strokes and cerebral palsy, who often struggle with muscle control affecting speech clarity. Why it matters: The research addresses a critical need for inclusive AI solutions, potentially improving the quality of life for speech-impaired individuals in the region and beyond.