The collection of speech data for the assessment of cognition remotely: Balancing ethical and practical challenges

Saunders S, Haider F, Lanzi AM, MacWhinney B, Fromm D, Chou CJ, Liu YC, Chang YN, Gregory S, Ritchie C, Lazarou I, Nikolopoulos S, Kompatsiaris I, Danso SO, Muniz-Terrera G, Orozco-Arroyave JR, Perez-Toro PA, Cesario RR, Cesario M, Luz S (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Alzheimer's & Dementia : Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring Wiley

Book Volume: 18

Article Number: e70341

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1002/dad2.70341

Abstract

Speech biomarkers could form a critical step in improving the accessibility, scalability, and early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. However, ethical and practical challenges remain across regulatory and cultural contexts. In this paper, we briefly review the challenges in adopting speech biomarkers, relate our experiences globally to recent advances in the neurodegenerative field, and consider how speech assessments could be integrated into clinical care. Insights from high- and low- and middle-income countries (Taiwan, Ghana, Colombia, Brazil, Greece, UK, and US) demonstrate the potential impact of speech technology. While there are common benefits, risks, incentives, and hurdles, many aspects are specific to country or region. There is a need for more speech data sets (particularly in languages other than English), standardization in data collection and analysis, stronger collaboration between machine learning and neurodegenerative disease experts, unified privacy regulation, and finally, a consensus on the clinical interpretation of speech biomarker data.

Involved external institutions

University of Delaware (UDEL) US United States (USA) (US) University of Edinburgh GB United Kingdom (GB) Carnegie Mellon University US United States (USA) (US) Universidad de Antioquía (UDEA) CO Colombia (CO) Cardinal Tien Hospital / 耕莘医院 TW Taiwan (TW) National Cheng Kung University TW Taiwan (TW) Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) / Ethniko Kentro Erevnas Kai Technologikis Anaptyxis / Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης GR Greece (GR) University of Sunderland GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Saunders, S., Haider, F., Lanzi, A.M., MacWhinney, B., Fromm, D., Chou, C.J.,... Luz, S. (2026). The collection of speech data for the assessment of cognition remotely: Balancing ethical and practical challenges. Alzheimer's & Dementia : Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70341

MLA:

Saunders, Stina, et al. "The collection of speech data for the assessment of cognition remotely: Balancing ethical and practical challenges." Alzheimer's & Dementia : Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring 18.2 (2026).

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