Claire O'Connor: Exploring AI as a Support for AAC Users

About this episode

Chris interviews Claire O'Connor about her research on AI's role in supporting AAC users.

This week, we share Chris’s interview with Claire O’Connor! Claire O’Connor is a speech-language pathologist and first-year PhD student at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and AAC, exploring how tools like ChatGPT can support AAC users better. Before the interview, Melissa, surprises him with news that his Assistive Technology team, comprising nine members, won the "Most Inclusive Team" award from their county's Special Education Advisory Committee Council! Chris himself also won the "Most Inclusive Administrator" award! Key Ideas This Week: Exploring AI as a Support for AAC Users: Claire is researching how large language models (like ChatGPT) can support—not replace—AAC communication by reducing delays, easing the cognitive load of message construction, and expanding short inputs into fuller messages . Co-Design with AAC Users: The project uses a participatory design approach, meaning AAC users are directly involved in shaping tools and prototypes. This ensures that their voices guide development rather than having solutions imposed on them . Focus on Empowerment and Trust: The research emphasizes building trust…

People in this episode

Host: Chris Bugaj

Guest: Claire O'Connor

Topics covered

• AI and AAC
• Assistive Technology
• Participatory Design
• Empowerment
• Trust in AI

Keywords

• AAC
• AI
• ChatGPT
• communication
• assistive technology
• participatory design
• empowerment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Maryland, Special Education Advisory Committee Council

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