Enabling Conversations with AI:
Restoring Communication in People with Aphasia
Enabling Conversations with AI:
Restoring Communication in People with Aphasia
Enabling Conversations with AI:
Restoring Communication in People with Aphasia
✨tldr.
✨tldr
We developed an AI-powered platform to empower over 2 million individuals with Aphasia to have complete conversations. The app leverages Generative AI to suggest words in real-time, specifically when it detects a user struggling to find the right word.
Duration
8 Months
ORGANIZATION
University of Washington,
UW Speech Clinic
University of Washington,
UW Speech Clinic
ARTEFACTS
iOS App
MY ROLE
Team Lead
Product Designer
Researcher
Usability Tester
✨Hypothesis
Hypothesis✨
AI's context awareness capabilities can predict what a user/human is going to say next, this prediction capability can be used to create a new conversation flow to help people with Aphasia and broader group of people that suffer from speech related issues.
AI's context awareness capabilities can predict what a user/human is going to say next, this prediction capability can be used to create a new conversation flow to help people with Aphasia and broader group of people that suffer from speech related issues.
Overview
Design Question
Design Question
How might we design context-aware AI to proactively anticipate and suggest words or phrases for individuals with aphasia, empowering them to fully express their thoughts and participate in complete conversations?
How might we design context-aware AI to proactively anticipate and suggest words or phrases for individuals with aphasia, empowering them to fully express their thoughts and participate in complete conversations?
Solution
Solution
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Key Metrics & Impact
Key Metrics & Impact
95% Accuracy in words predicted
95% Accuracy in words predicted
7 out of 7 SLPs interviewed would recommend Tale to their patients
Microsoft Imagine Cup 2024 Qualified - 2500USD Grant in Azure Credits
Microsoft Imagine Cup 2024 Qualified - 2500USD Grant in Azure Credits
Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge 2024 - Finalists
Dempsey Startup Competition 2024 - Sweet 16 Investment Round
Global Innovation Exchange Student Grant - 1500 USD
Problem and Context
Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the US.
Aphasia, a speech impairment disorder caused by brain damage often from strokes, affects language skills but not intelligence. Current assistive devices focus mostly on severe cases, leaving mild to moderate aphasia less supported. This, along with a lack of specialized therapists, highlights the global need for more accessible aphasia solutions.
Aphasia, a speech impairment disorder caused by brain damage often from strokes, affects language skills but not intelligence. Current assistive devices focus mostly on severe cases, leaving mild to moderate aphasia less supported. This, along with a lack of specialized therapists, highlights the global need for more accessible aphasia solutions.
1 in 4 people
over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime
Up to USD 7,392
Up to USD 7,392
additional cost per patient for Aphasia care
2,000,000
people with Aphasia in US
Up to 60%
Aphasia patients retain language impairments post 6 months
1 in 3 Strokes
result in Aphasia
59.3 SLPs*
for every 100,000 people
1 in 4 people
over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime
Up to USD 7,392
additional cost per patient for Aphasia care
2,000,000
people with Aphasia in US
Up to 60%
Aphasia patients retain language impairments post 6 months
1 in 3 Strokes
result in Aphasia
59.3 SLPs*
for every 100,000 people
User Analysis
Solution
Solution
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Design Decisions
Solution
Solution
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Evaluation & Iteration
Solution
Solution
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Reflection
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
Our solution is a mobile app designed as an in-conversation intervention to empower individuals with aphasia. By analyzing live dialogue, the app identifies instances where a user struggles to recall a word or maintain conversational flow, then provides timely, context-aware prompts to support their expression.
