In this episode of Beyond Words, host Garrett Oyama, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by speech-language pathologist, speech scientist, and AI developer Matthew Guggemos, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss how SLPs can use artificial intelligence effectively and responsibly.
Rather than asking whether AI will replace clinicians, Garrett and Matthew consider a more practical question: Which parts of an SLP’s work can AI meaningfully support, and which depend on human clinical judgment? Drawing on his experience developing AI-supported assessment and AAC technologies, Matthew shares how these tools may help reduce administrative demands, analyze clinical information, support assessment workflows, and expand access to communication while keeping clinicians responsible for interpretation and decision-making.
They also address the risks of using AI in clinical practice, including inaccurate or fabricated information, automation bias, privacy and data security concerns, and overreliance on generated recommendations. You’ll learn why it is important to understand what an AI system is actually measuring, recognize its limitations, and carefully evaluate its output before applying it to clinical care.
Finally, Garrett and Matthew look at how AI may shape the future of speech-language pathology, from the skills clinicians will need to the role SLPs can play in developing and evaluating clinical tools. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how technology can increase clinicians’ capacity for the deeply human parts of their work without replacing the expertise, relationships, and judgment at the heart of the profession.
Rather than asking whether AI will replace clinicians, Garrett and Matthew consider a more practical question: Which parts of an SLP’s work can AI meaningfully support, and which depend on human clinical judgment? Drawing on his experience developing AI-supported assessment and AAC technologies, Matthew shares how these tools may help reduce administrative demands, analyze clinical information, support assessment workflows, and expand access to communication while keeping clinicians responsible for interpretation and decision-making.
They also address the risks of using AI in clinical practice, including inaccurate or fabricated information, automation bias, privacy and data security concerns, and overreliance on generated recommendations. You’ll learn why it is important to understand what an AI system is actually measuring, recognize its limitations, and carefully evaluate its output before applying it to clinical care.
Finally, Garrett and Matthew look at how AI may shape the future of speech-language pathology, from the skills clinicians will need to the role SLPs can play in developing and evaluating clinical tools. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how technology can increase clinicians’ capacity for the deeply human parts of their work without replacing the expertise, relationships, and judgment at the heart of the profession.
