The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Speech and Language Therapy: Attitudes and Expectations

Artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise to support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in medicine and therapy. However, ethics is a priority concern in the development and implementation of AI across sectors. Common ethical themes in the healthcare literature of the last 5 years surround algorithmic bias, accountability, privacy, transparency and trust issues. The question arises how these challenges apply to speech and language therapy (SLT). Stakeholder attitudes towards the use of AI in healthcare have been investigated for the populations of physicians, medical students, and patients. However, no study has yet addressed the specific perspective of speech and language therapists on this technology.

Therefore, the aim was to gather insights on the attitudes, hopes and concerns towards the (future) use of artificial intelligence from speech and language therapists working in clinical practice or research.

An online survey with 11 closed and three open-ended questions was conducted in four German speaking countries. The quantitative analysis of the results involved correlating demographic factors, such as age, with the responses. The qualitative analysis compared the responses to this survey with the findings of healthcare literature and studies addressing other healthcare stakeholders.

Five hundred eighty-seven professionals from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein answered the questionnaire. In the results all but 3% of the participants expect that AI will be applied at least to some extend in SLT in the future. The majority of the participants (65%) are open-minded towards the application of AI in SLT. Perceived potential benefits show a larger overlap than identified challenges with the existing literature. The possible loss of the 'human-factor' in assessment and therapy is by far the most frequent concern (41%) the participating speech and language therapists have towards the use of AI. Results further reflect the current level of knowledge about this technology in our profession.

The use of AI in SLT can have a positive impact, but many factors need to be considered to prepare our profession for this type of technology. These include the expansion of education, the development of guidelines and the establishment of interdisciplinary collaborations all aiming to develop, implement and enable the use of truly beneficial AI-tools for assessment and intervention in SLT.

What is already known on this subject Stakeholder involvement is important in the development and implication of artificial intelligence in health care. Stakeholder attitudes towards the use of AI in healthcare have been investigated for the populations of physicians, medical students and patients. However, no study has yet addressed the specific perspective of speech and language therapists on this technology. What this paper adds to existing knowledge The majority of the participants are open-minded towards the application of AI in SLT and think that it will be used in our profession in the future. Perceived potential benefits and challenges align with the literature to some degree. One aspect that is especially emphasised by the participants is the potential loss of 'human-factor' in SLT. Results reflect participants' knowledge on AI as well as a specific therapeutic view on healthcare and intervention. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? AI application in SLT has great potential, but also comes with challenges. Speech and language therapists need to expand their knowledge on this technology, prepare specific guidelines and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations to specify their perspective and needs in developing and implementing AI-software. Only then will it become truly useful for clinicians and they will be able to use it in a responsible and informed way.