It’s Time to Talk Tech:
Artificial Intelligence and
Speech-Language Pathology

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to technology designed to simulate human learning, problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making (Cordella et al., 2025; Stryker & Kavlakoglu, 2024). Platforms like Open AI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini are generative AI, meaning they create content including writing, art, and music, by learning from vast amounts of data (for debate on the originality of this content, see Appel et al., 2023). These tools rely on machine learning algorithms, such as artificial neural networks modeled after human brain connections (Stryker & Kavlakoglu, 2024).

Public use of AI is booming. In 2022, arguably early in the eruption of generative AI platforms, almost half of surveyed Americans reported engaging with AI regularly, with 27% stating they used AI multiple times a day (Kennedy et al., 2023). This growing usage strengthens AI systems; the more data they process, the better they perform (Samborska, 2025). OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, had a valuation of $157 billion towards the end of 2024, and has been working on converting to a for-profit company through subscription services and other initiatives (OpenAI, 2024; Pequeño, 2024). Currently, for-profit initiatives are said to not include the sale of data inputted into ChatGPT by users (see OpenAI, 2024b).

In the last few years, AI seems to have been mentioned in connection to practically every field, including the field of speech-language pathology (SLP). Speech-Language and Audiology Canada hosted a webinar for clinicians discussing AI, describing how it could soon benefit SLP practice (Sperry, 2024). However, AI is already benefiting or at least impacting SLPs. In response to an anonymous question I posed on the GTA SLP Facebook group, clinicians described using AI for a variety of purposes, such as documentation through AI scribes like Heidi (Heidi Health, n.d.) treatment planning/material development, or as a compensatory tool for clients.

Goldie also added she frequently uses AI to translate materials into a client’s preferred language, noting that her multilingual clients have stated that ChatGPT’s translation is more accurate than other platforms, such as Google Translate.

When asked about ethical considerations for using AI platforms to provide services, Goldie emphasized the importance of protecting patient privacy through inputting only non-identifiable information. Though she’s interested in seeing how AI may change the field of SLP, she stated: 

Dr. Molnar is currently carrying out a pilot project with Dr. Karla Washington and Dr. Tom Chau at Holland Bloorview, working on using AI to equitably evaluate young children’s speech. Dr. Molnar discussed how monolingual and multilingual children produce English speech sounds differently, and how these differences may be flagged as disordered. She shared that children may not always have access to SLPs who are familiar with their language background, and that standardized speech assessments are most often normed on monolingual English speakers. As it would not be feasible to generate standardized tests that are normed for every individual’s unique language background, Dr. Molnar and her team are working to train AI algorithms with diverse child speech samples to help differentiate between children with speech sound disorders and those without.

This tool is planned to be available open access and not for profit. Privacy is also a consideration for this project; all collected samples are completely anonymous, and parents were explicitly informed about their use. When asked about the implications of tools like this for SLPs, Dr. Molnar shared that:

However, Olivia discussed potential concerns about job loss due to automation of administrative and assessment tasks (Farhud & Zokaei, 2021). Though a common theme of all three interviews is that AI may support but not replace SLPs in providing services, this concern exists. Speech-Language and Audiology Canada refer to AI as posing potential threats to SLPs (Sperry, 2024), and a recent survey found clinicians and student clinicians felt AI could replace their role (Austin et al., 2025). A controversy erupted on social media with the introduction of Jessica, an AI speech therapy platform claiming they can provide “personalized speech therapy sessions tailored to each user's unique needs” (Better Speech, 2024, para. 2).

Olivia recently spoke to the University of Toronto SLP Year 2 students regarding ethical considerations such as consent, privacy, and handling of personal health information. She used this opportunity to discuss AI and some of the ethical considerations of its use. Olivia states that it would be beneficial for clinicians to be exposed to more education surrounding AI, as well as opportunities to interact with these new technologies.

To conclude, when I reflect upon the use of AI in SLP as a student, I think about one of the principles of neuroplasticity discussed in our coursework: Use It or Lose It. It has been established that “new neurons are kept alive by effortful learning, a process that involves concentration in the present moment of experience over some extended period of time” (Shors et al., 2012, p. 450). Therefore, we must critically think about the implications on our own performance when we choose to use AI to accomplish tasks as SLPs. Using ChatGPT to create treatment activities or AI algorithms to screen children for speech sound disorders is very different from offloading clinical interpretations and decision-making to a computational system. Clinical practice in SLP requires constant reflection and examination of one's own limitations, influences, and values, whereas AI models simply do what they are told using information that has been fed to them, information which may frankly be incorrect, out of date, and biased. One can also consider the implications of SLP students utilizing AI in foundational courses as it relates to skill development and independent clinical reasoning (see Walsh, 2025, for a discussion of AI use in higher education).

Furthermore, if it is necessary for SLPs to rely on platforms like AI in order to meet workplace demands, what does this say about the expectations placed upon SLPs?

Overall, if AI is used as a tool to supplement SLP practice, its effectiveness and utility depends on SLPs. It will be interesting to see how AI and other technological advancements reshape the field in the coming years. 

As a note, there are many aspects of AI that this article did not touch on, such as environmental impact. For readers interested in learning more, check out the AI Index from Stanford University at https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index. 

Or, you could just ask ChatGPT.