As Vice Chair of the LITHME COST Action network (2023-2024), I played a key role in leading an international collaboration of over 300 researchers across 39 countries. This €650,000+ funded initiative explored how emerging technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence are reshaping human language and communication.
Stewarded Action to achieve all objectives with “excellent” final evaluation
Co-authored forecast report downloaded 4000+ times with 38 citations
Established permanent Special Interest Group (200+ members) for legacy impact
Organized major public roadshows engaging industry leaders (ReadSpeaker, Nvidia)
Contributed to 56 peer-reviewed publications through Action networking
Developed Marie Sklodowska-Curie proposal scoring 90.6%
LITHME focuses on preparing language researchers for the shift from the digital era to the human-machine era. These emerging technologies include two specific phenomena:
Speaking through technology - language being fully augmented by technology (e.g., Heygen)
Speaking to technology - humans having long and substantial conversations with intelligent chatbots
The network’s key aims are to:
Prepare language researchers for what is coming
Facilitate longer-term dialogue between linguists and technology developers
The work addresses critical questions about how pervasive human-machine language interfaces will affect language work, linguistic identity, and the very structure of language. LITHME also focuses on the ethical implications of emerging language technologies, including inequalities of access, privacy concerns, and potential for misuse.
Through workshops, training schools, publications, and public engagement, LITHME has created valuable resources for understanding how technology is reshaping language in fundamental ways.