Project Euphonia

Project Euphonia is a Google Research initiative aimed at helping people with non-standard speech be better understood by AI and people alike. The project addresses the "data gap" in voice technology, where speech recognition models are typically trained on "typical" speech, often failing those with ALS, strokes, or Parkinson’s disease. To solve this, Google collects voice recordings from volunteers with speech impairments to train more inclusive models. One of its key outputs is a custom AI model that can translate a user’s unique speech patterns into standard text or voice in real-time. Another breakthrough is the development of a gesture-triggered communication tool that allows individuals with severe motor impairments to trigger sounds or actions using facial expressions or non-verbal cues. Project Euphonia is part of Google’s broader "AI for Social Good" effort, emphasizing that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, should be able to use voice-activated technology and communicate effectively.