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Bridging Communication Gaps in Human and Human-AI Interactions: The Role of Accented Speech on Neurocognitive mechanisms and Social Dynamics

Project description

Foreign accents in human and AI interaction

Foreign-accented speech can influence communication, decision-making, and social interactions, but we do not understand its cognitive and social effects. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the HUM.AI.N-ACCENT project investigates how accent affects communication with both humans and AI. Specifically, it draws on cognitive psychology, AI engineering, human-computer interaction, and the social sciences. It also employs tools such as neuroimaging, eye-tracking, virtual reality, and neural monitoring to look at neural responses, attention, and social judgments. The findings will help create inclusive AI systems, reduce bias against accents, and improve communication in educational, clinical, and technological settings. It will also train the next generation of researchers to advance speech technology.

Objective

HUM.AI.N-ACCENT is an interdisciplinary research project that explores the neurocognitive and social impacts of foreign-accented speech in human-human and human-AI interactions. With millions of new arrivals to the European Union each year, there is an urgent need to understand how foreign accents influence communication, decision-making, and social dynamics. Research has shown that foreign-accented speech can generate biases and increase cognitive load, yet the origins and consequences of these effects are still poorly understood.
The HUM.AI.N-ACCENT project aims to fill this gap by combining insights from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, AI engineering, human-computer interaction, and social science, with lifespan perspectives. Using advanced methodologies like neuroimaging, eye-tracking, virtual reality, and neural tracking, the project will investigate how foreign-accented speech affects neural responses, attention allocation, and social judgments. By studying both human-human and human-AI interactions, the project will provide critical insights into how accents shape communication and behaviour in diverse contexts.
This research will have far-reaching scientific, societal, and technological impacts. It will deepen our understanding of speech perception and inform the development of more inclusive AI systems, advancing social, educational, clinical, and technology sectors. By training a new generation of researchers through a series of multidisciplinary workshops, hands-on training, and career development activities, HUM.AI.N-ACCENT will promote interdisciplinary collaboration between academic and non-academic sectors, helping the next generation of scientists to drive innovations in speech technology, reduce accent bias, and foster social inclusion. The project objectives align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals ‘Quality of Education’ and ‘Reduce Inequality’.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITAS NEBRISSENSIS SA
Net EU contribution
€ 282 188,16
Address
CD RESIDENCIAL BERZOSA
28240 Hoyo De Manzanares
Spain
Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (10)

Partners (14)