When an individual faces challenges communicating with others or with swallowing, they often see a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who can help with speech sounds, language, social communication, literacy, fluency and feeding/swallowing.1 SLPs play a crucial role in client well-being as they help clients effectively communicate with others.1
SLP is a vital practice, and AI is helping to transform it. By improving techniques, training and accessibility, AI for speech therapy allows SLPs to expand their education, help more clients and maximize their time.2. 3
What is AI Speech Enhancement?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a form of technology where computers and machines simulate human intelligence processes.4 AI is capable of problem-solving, recognizing patterns and creating predictions based on the dataset used to train the model.5
AI has many applications. Within speech therapy, AI can help speech-language pathologists diagnose, plan treatments and deliver therapy.6, 7, 3 For example, speech recognition software can transcribe spoken words and analyze the transcriptions for speech disorders.6 AI-powered virtual assistants can be applied in speech therapy to provide interactive therapy exercises outside of individual therapy sessions, helping clients receive more support and guidance.3
With AI, speech therapy professionals have the potential to intervene earlier and improve communicative outcomes.3
How is AI Technology Used in Speech Pathology?
AI is a valuable tool that can assist SLPs, allowing them greater efficiency when checking off their responsibilities.8
Speech Therapy AI for Disorder Diagnosis
AI for speech therapy can help SLPs identify speech delays, articulation issues and stuttering.6 Plus, the tool can analyze vast amounts of client data, speeding up the diagnostic process.3 AI can consider the unique qualities of each person’s speech, further personalizing diagnoses and supporting SLPs as they diagnose disorders.3
Speech therapy AI alone cannot diagnose speech disorders, but it can assist SLPs by analyzing large amounts of data and identifying patterns.3, 9 SLPs can then review these findings to interpret the results, match them with the correct diagnosis and devise a treatment plan comprising all the data gathered.9
AI can identify speech patterns.10 An AI model may be able to predict Alzheimer’s by analyzing speech patterns.
AI-Powered Therapy Tools
AI speech therapy tools allow clients to continue practicing their skills outside of one-on-one therapy sessions and get real-time feedback.3 For example, AI chatbots encourage clients to practice their speech. For children with speech challenges, AI speech therapy tools can encourage them to speak by making it fun.3
AI Speech Therapy Training and Education
AI for speech therapy offers a way to expand the training and education that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) receive by helping educators design scenarios.2 Specifically, AI can simulate client scenarios so that SLP students can practice identifying, diagnosing and working with speech therapy clients.11
Elisabeth McGee, PhD, DPT, MOT, MTC, CHSE, Senior Director of Clinical Learning and Innovation at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), shares how USAHS is leveraging AI for education. “When students transition into fieldwork and beyond, they are confident because they have experience with technologies that prepare them for clinical practice,” Dr. McGee says.
Remote Speech Therapy
Within the speech therapy field, AI can make these services more accessible, especially for those in rural areas without access to an SLP or for those who are unable to make it into an office.12 AI virtual assistants can provide real-time feedback on interactive exercises, offering a telehealth solution that those with speech impediments can practice and receive feedback on at any time, even without seeing a therapist one-on-one.3
AI in speech therapy can offer adaptive therapy programs in which the therapy activities and techniques are adjusted to fit the client’s specific needs.13 If the client has a disability, these adaptive therapy programs can mean the difference between continuing with a therapy plan or opting out. AI can help modify the program to fit the client’s needs.13 In this way, AI ensures that everyone has access to speech therapy.
Benefits of AI for Speech Therapy
With all the applications of AI in speech therapy, there are a few notable benefits.
First, AI for speech therapy can increase accessibility to speech therapy services, through telehealth and personalized therapy plans that accommodate disabilities for better access and outcomes.3,13 With AI speech therapy tools, SLPs can help the greatest number of clients.
AI can enhance the training of SLPs, helping them develop advanced skills and competencies. For SLP students, AI can grant them exposure to a number of scenarios, offering them unique real-world experience during their degree program.
AI can be a valuable tool for SLPs, especially when diagnosing speech disorders. AI speech therapy tools have the capability to sort through vast numbers of data in a very short time, allowing it to identify patterns that SLPs, with their clinical expertise, can use when diagnosing clients.3, 10 The potential areas of concern highlighted by AI allow SLPs to make more informed decisions when paired with their human expertise and judgment.
AI in speech therapy can also assist SLPs in personalizing therapy plans by compiling data-driven insights. SLPs can analyze this data and use it to inform their decisions.11
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
AI speech therapy tools bring along a set of challenges and ethical considerations that must be understood to experience the benefits.
First, as with all areas of healthcare, data privacy and security are essential for the client’s trust. AI’s ability to analyze client data raises privacy and security concerns.3 SLPs must find a way to ensure sensitive client data is protected while using AI speech therapy solutions.
Another challenge with AI is the fear that many have: Will SLPs be replaced by AI? While AI in speech therapy can analyze client data, identify patterns and highlight areas of concern, it is ultimately meant to serve as a complementary tool that SLPs, with their expertise, can use in their practice.9, 14 AI allows SLPs to assist more clients through telehealth applications, but ultimately, all speech therapy AI assistance is overseen by an SLP.
Finally, AI is a model that learns from the datasets humans provide, which can create barriers to inclusivity.15 If an AI dataset excludes a specific client population, the model won’t be prepared to handle their unique challenges. It’s important to ensure that AI speech therapy tools are inclusive and work effectively across all populations.
The Future of AI in Speech Therapy
As AI continues to expand, more tools are available to SLPs. For instance, speech therapy AI applications help with advanced speech recognition, allowing those with speech impediments to communicate challenges more effectively to SLPs.6 Natural language processing is being incorporated into algorithms so that these tools can more accurately comprehend spoken language and encourage more expressive dialogue. 3
As AI-driven screening tools grow, we’ll see greater collaboration between SLPs and AI, where AI facilitates the early detection of developmental challenges.9 AI will use its processing power to sort through vast amounts of client data, while SLPs will bring their clinical expertise to analyze the AI findings and create a treatment plan.3, 9 Speech therapy AI will be available as immersive virtual environments to allow clients to practice talking, even outside of therapy sessions, as they would in the real world, focusing on skills outlined by their SLP.3
The Impact of AI on SLP Training
AI can improve SLP education and skill development. AI-powered simulations offer a way to prepare students for real-world challenges, immersing them in client scenarios so that they may understand what to expect, what to observe and how to intervene.11
With the integration of AI speech therapy solutions, students and certified SLPs can experience a wide range of scenarios.2 Lifelong learning is a vital trait, and speech therapy AI allows SLPs to continue expanding their expertise with flexibility to fit their lifestyles.
Speech Therapy for AI: A Powerful Collaboration
AI has the capability to transform speech therapy and SLP training. By increasing speech therapy accessibility and inclusivity, aiding SLP practice, simulating scenarios to support SLP education and offering powerful tools, AI speech therapy solutions enable SLPs to maximize their expertise and effectiveness. 3
Explore how USAHS is shaping the future of speech-language pathology education with cutting-edge programs that incorporate the latest technology in therapy. Learn more about our Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program and how it can prepare you to leverage innovative tools like AI in your practice.
Sources
- Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do? ASHA, (2025), https://www.asha.org/public/who-are-speech-language-pathologists/?srsltid=AfmBOoryFgnowk0V1TOvc08LhycCY5r-bKoEJqKI2_ZJO3Wgz3D_Nr0o.
- Vaughn, J., Ford, S. H., Scott, M., Jones, C., & Lewinski, A. “Enhancing Healthcare Education: Leveraging ChatGPT for Innovative Simulation Scenarios,” Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 2024: 87, 101487, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2023.101487.
- Bhardwaj, A., Sharma, M., Kumar, S., Sharma, S., & Sharma, P. C. “Transforming pediatric speech and language disorder diagnosis and therapy: The evolving role of artificial intelligence,” Health Sciences Review, 2024: 12, 100188, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hsr.2024.100188.
- What is Artificial Intelligence? NASA, May 13, 2024, https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artificial-intelligence/.
- “AI Demystified: Introduction to AI,” Stanford University IT, October 14, 2024, https://uit.stanford.edu/service/techtraining/ai-demystified/introduction.
- Zaki Brahmi, et al. “Exploring the Role of Machine Learning in Diagnosing and Treating Speech Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review,” Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 2024: 17, 2205, https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S460283.
- Green, J. R. “Artificial Intelligence in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Introduction to the Forum,” Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 2024: 67(11), 4157–4161, https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_jslhr-24-00594.
- Dolby C., “Empowering School-Based SLPs with AI Tools: Smarter, Not Harder,” March 3, 2025, https://www.speechtherapypd.com/blogs/empowering-school-slps-with-ai.
- Suh, H., Aayushi Dangol, Hedda Meadan, Miller, C. A., & Kientz, J. A. “Opportunities and Challenges for AI-Based Support for Speech-Language Pathologists,” 2024, https://doi.org/10.1145/3663384.3663387.
- Cohen, F., “AI model may predict Alzheimer’s by analyzing speech patterns,” Medical News Today, July 4, 2024, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ai-model-may-predict-alzheimers-analyzing-speech-patterns.
- “AI for speech therapy,” TheraPlatform Blog, 2025, https://www.theraplatform.com/blog/1300/ai-for-speech-therapy.
- Benway, N. R., & Preston, J. L. “Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Speech Therapy for /ɹ/: A Single-Case Experimental Study,” American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2024: 33(5), 2461–2486, https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_ajslp-23-00448.
- Perry, N., Sun, C., Munro, M., Boulton, K. A., & Guastella, A. J. “AI technology to support adaptive functioning in neurodevelopmental conditions in everyday environments: a systematic review,” Npj Digital Medicine, 2024: 7(1), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-024-01355-7.
- Sezgin, E. “Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Complementing, not replacing, doctors and healthcare providers,” DIGITAL HEALTH, 2023: 9, https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231186520.
- Nadarzynski, T., et al. “Achieving health equity through conversational AI: A roadmap for design and implementation of inclusive chatbots in healthcare,” PLOS Digital Health, 2024: 3(5), e0000492. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000492.
