Title
Restoring the Self: Personal LLMs as guardians of human identity and agency for people living with severe communication disorders
Abstract
The Scott-Morgan Foundation is pushing beyond traditional voice synthesis to address a fundamental human right: the preservation of personal identity. Our work extends into uncharted territory—creating personalized AI systems that maintain not just voice, but the full spectrum of human identity for those with severe disabilities. This includes personality, decision-making patterns, and authentic self-expression through multiple modalities.
We're developing a "concept car" for personal AI—working with individuals living with ALS to create bespoke solutions that will ultimately benefit the broader 509 million people worldwide with severe communication disorders. Through collaborations with Lenovo, NVIDIA, ElevenLabs, and specialized assistive technology companies, we're building open-source solutions that can scale globally. This approach allows us to:
- Test cutting-edge technologies in real-world scenarios
- Develop best practices for personalization and deployment
- Create scalable frameworks for wider implementation
- Establish ethical guidelines through practical application
Bio
LaVonne Roberts, CEO, The Scott-Morgan Foundation USA, leads groundbreaking research and implementation of AI-powered assistive technologies at The Scott-Morgan Foundation, where she spearheads initiatives integrating advanced machine learning techniques with human-centric design. Her work focuses on developing scalable AI solutions that enhance communication and independence for individuals with severe disabilities, particularly through the application of Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and adaptive learning systems. Her current research explores the intersection of machine learning and assistive technology, with particular emphasis on creating trustworthy and sustainable AI systems that can be deployed globally while maintaining individual agency and privacy.
Eric Kern is Chief Engineer at The Scott-Morgan Foundation, Former Director at the AI Center of Excellence, and Lenovo Distinguished Engineer. Eric Kern is a pioneering technologist and AI innovator with over three decades of experience in developing transformative technologies. As Chief Engineer at The Scott-Morgan Foundation, he leads the technical development of groundbreaking AI solutions that restore agency and identity to individuals with severe disabilities. His expertise spans cloud computing, hardware architecture, and scalable AI solutions, with particular focus on ethical implementation of emerging technologies. His current work focuses on developing novel approaches to personalized AI systems, including advanced implementations of RAG technologies, LLMs, and neural network architectures optimized for assistive technology applications.
Practical
The speakers are presenting in person at the Blindern campus, Niels Henrik Abels building, 8th floor.
The Tuesdays seminars series are devoted to various topics relevant for the Integreat´s research focus. Presenters from the Integreat community and beyond have 40 minutes to present, followed by a group discussion.
Seminars are open for attendance for everybody.
For those unable to attend in person: https://uio.zoom.us/j/62535744013
Point of contacts:
- Organiser and moderator: Associate Professor Elisabeth Wetzer, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- Integreat Administrative Leader Maria Dikova, University of Oslo