How Can we Use AI Responsibly?

It’s important that we don’t think of AI as doing our jobs for us.

The AI is here to make our jobs easier by doing some of the “busy work” type activities quickly.

Here are five tips for using AI responsibly:

1. Don’t ask the AI to create something that you don’t already know. You should be able to edit and revise its output.
2. Review everything that comes out of the AI for accuracy and appropriateness.
3. Don’t enter personal or identifying information about clients into the AI. They are not HIPAA/FERPA compliant!
4. Watch for cultural biases! The AI doesn’t know when it has created something offensive.
5. Disclose when using AI-generated resources

Different Options for Finding AI-Powered Tools:

Here are a few different ways to find AI-powered tools to use in therapy:

1. Look for SLP-Created Tools:

The most customized tools that you can use will have been created or modified by speech-language professionals. For example, I have created a series of material generators inside The Hub that are already programmed to give you exactly what you need.

2. Use Open-Ended AI Tools like ChatGPT:

If you are a bit more tech-savvy, you can use an open-ended tool like ChatGPT yourself! These open-ended tools will allow you to have a conversation with the AI and ask it for whatever you want! Once you get the hang of how to word your requests, your imagination is your limit! You’ll be amazed at the types of things AI can help you with.

3. Find Specialty AI Tools:

AI tools are being created all the time! And the technology is changing rapidly. Many companies are creating specialty AI tools that do specific tasks, such as helping with executive functioning or allowing you to search scholarly articles. You can ask ChatGPT to give you suggestions for AI tools that will do specific tasks that you need done.

Using AI to Generate Custom Therapy Materials:

This is quite possibly the coolest use of AI in our field thus far!

You can create custom word lists, reading passages, images, social scenarios, and more!

You can tailor these materials to exactly what a client is interested in and what they need to work on.

This allows you to always have fresh, new ideas at the click of a button!

Use our pre-made material generators…

…or ask ChatGPT for what you need and see what you get!

Using AI to Brainstorm Ideas for Speech-Language Pathology:

AI is really great for generating a list of ideas.

Here are a few types of lists I’ve had AI help me generate.

Just remember to use your professional judgement to make sure these are appropriate!

• Therapy activities or game ideas for a specific skill
• Wording suggestions or rubrics for goal-writing
• Lists of accommodations, modifications, and classroom supports that could be used to help a child who is struggling.
• Home strategies that can be used to help a child who is struggling

Outlining, Editing, and Revising Professional Communications:

Have you even noticed how it’s easier to edit something that is already created than to start from scratch?

Well, AI can help you outline or draft up an email, teacher in-service, or handout based on what you need.

Describe to ChatGPT what you’re looking for and what it should contain.

The AI will generate something for you to then edit and make your own.

You can also have the AI edit something you’ve written to make it more professional or more casual/parent-friendly.

Translating Resources:

This function of AI is still in its infancy and translations may not be totally accurate…

…but if you’re facing a language barrier, AI can help!

AI tools are getting better at translating text from one language to another.

You can use this to translate handouts or home instructions for families.

Just make sure you have someone who can edit the translations to make sure they are correct!

Finding and Summarizing Research Articles:

Some AI tools are being trained to be able to fetch and summarize research articles on a particular topic or subject.

Make sure you’re using a tool that can take you to its references though so you can look them over yourself.

This is a great way for us to stay up to date on current research in our field!

Transcribing Meetings and Making those Transcripts Searchable:

There are also emerging AI tools that will transcribe a meeting and make that transcript searchable, so you can easily go back to the important parts of a meeting.

Make sure everyone consents to the recording/transcription and make sure to use HIPAA-compliant tools if student/client information will be shared.

Organizing Professional Tasks:

Feeling a bit scattered?

(Grrl, same!)

AI can help you organize tasks, create checklists and step-by-step plans, generate timelines, and more!

If you’re not sure, tell ChatGPT what you have on your plate today and it will give you suggestions for what it can do to help you keep it all organized and moving forward!

Searching the Internet:

AI is making searching the internet a breeze!

Instead of having to read through each and every website yourself, AI can read them all in a few seconds and then summarize to you what the key points are.

Plus, it can customize the advice to your exact situation.

Obviously, the AI is limited by what it reads, and there is still bad information out there.

So make sure any information or advice you get is solid.

But it’s a great tool to get you started in finding the information you need!

Using AI as a Tool for our Clients:

Are you starting to see all of the amazing ways that AI can help you in your daily life?

Imagine how life-changing this could be for a teenager or adult who is struggling with executive functioning…

…or social interactions

…or language skills!

We can work with our older clients directly to teach them how to use these tools safely and responsibly to overcome challenges in their lives.

Ready to Dip your Toe into the AI Waters?

I know that AI can be intimidating, but there are easy ways for you to dip your toe in and see what you think!

To start, try our pre-built material generators inside The Hub.

They will allow you to play around with the AI in a safe way without having to learn all of the technical stuff that goes along with it.

Grab a free trial to our Full Hub Membership and try our AI-powered tools today!