I-Corps: Translation potential of using artificial intelligence (AI) for an interactive and inclusive language-learning process designed for young children

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响是开发一种为不同种族背景的幼儿量身定制的语言学习技术。当前，世界变得越来越多样化，儿童学习多种语言的需求也越来越大。这项技术可以让孩子们学习如何用母语说话，也可以学习如何说英语、西班牙语、法语以及其他语言。这项技术使用家庭成员的录音，然后将其编辑和制作成有趣的互动语言学习体验，供孩子们使用。使用家庭成员的声音也可以为孩子们提供更个性化和更吸引人的体验，让他们感到与他们的文化更紧密地联系在一起。此外，孩子们可以自己编故事，让他们有一种自豪感和对语言学习的归属感。这项技术可能会使自然语言处理科学家和研究人员受益，他们在大学和研究所进行种族相关的研究，有种族背景的孩子的父母希望使用包容性辅助技术进行演讲，学区和使用教育技术帮助学生学习语言的教师，语言病理学家和他们的实践希望结合语言学习产品的使用，从一个文化响应的教学框架。这个I-Corps项目利用体验式学习和对行业生态系统的第一手调查来评估拟议技术的翻译潜力。该技术基于多元、公平和包容的自然语言处理（NLP）的先前发展，旨在帮助有语言挑战的年轻多元学习者。在儿童的语言学习过程中，使用自然语言处理作为嵌入在语言学习产品中的辅助技术变得越来越重要。自然语言处理用于解释和理解口语，而语音识别软件用于识别口语单词并将其转换为文本。此外，将使用用户界面和数据存储来存储录音并播放它们，以将孩子自己的声音与家庭成员录制的声音进行比较。这项技术满足了儿童的教育需求，同时也符合在这一新兴领域促进包容性和多样性的更广泛的社会目标。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this I-Corps project is the development of a language learning technology tailored for young children from various ethnic backgrounds. Currently, the world is increasingly becoming more diverse and the need for children to learn multiple languages is growing. The technology may allow children to learn how to speak in their native language and also learn how to speak English, Spanish, French, as well as other languages. The technology uses audio recordings of family members, which are then edited and crafted into fun and interactive language-learning experiences for kids. The use of family members’ voices may also provide a more personal and engaging experience for children, allowing them to feel more connected to their culture. In addition, children can make their own stories, giving them a sense of pride and ownership of their language learning. The technology may benefit natural language processing scientists and researchers who conduct race related research in universities and institutes, parents of children with ethnic backgrounds looking to use inclusive assisted technologies for speech, school districts and teachers who use edtech to assist students with the language learning process, and speech language pathologists and their practices looking to incorporate the use of language learning products from a culturally-responsive pedagogical framework.This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the proposed technology. The technology is based on the prior development of diverse, equitable, and inclusive natural language processing (NLP) for the purpose of assisting young diverse learners with speech challenges. The use of natural language processing as assistive technology embedded in language learning products is becoming increasingly important for children during their language learning process. Natural language processing is used to interpret and understand spoken language, while speech recognition software is used to recognize the spoken words and convert them into text. In addition, a user interface and data storage will be used to store the recordings and play them back to compare the child’s own voice to the recorded voice of family members. The technology addresses the educational needs of children but also aligns with the broader societal goals of fostering inclusivity and diversity in this emerging field.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.