Participants of Project Elevate Black Voices using AI technology.
Washington D.C., August 7, 2025
Howard University, in partnership with Google, has launched Project Elevate Black Voices to improve voice recognition technology for Black speech. This initiative addresses the high error rates in voice transcription faced by Black users and aims to broaden the datasets used in training voice recognition systems. Over 530 African Americans are participating in the project, contributing to a dataset designed to better recognize diverse speech patterns. With future plans for expansion, this project seeks to create more inclusive technology that respects natural speech without requiring users to conform.
Washington D.C. – Howard University has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving voice recognition technology for Black speech in collaboration with Google. The project, known as Project Elevate Black Voices, seeks to address persistent inaccuracies in voice transcription technology, particularly those that affect Black users. Researcher Lucretia Williams has spearheaded this initiative over the past two years, focusing on how voice recognition systems have struggled to correctly interpret the nuances of Black speech.
Voice-driven AI tools often fail to understand Black users, resulting in frustrating responses such as “I’m not sure I understand.” This has become an area of concern, as a study conducted in 2020 indicated that major voice interpretation systems exhibited significantly higher error rates for Black users compared to their white counterparts. The error rates were reported to be 22% for Apple, 15% for Amazon, and 12% for Google, highlighting a crucial gap in the representation of Black speech within voice recognition data.
Project Elevate Black Voices aims to broaden the existing datasets used to train voice recognition systems. Historically, Black speech has been underrepresented, leading to frequent misinterpretations. Williams underscores the need for technological solutions that do not force Black Americans to code-switch or alter their natural speech patterns when interacting with personal devices.
In support of this project, Howard University has recruited over 530 African Americans from 32 states. Participants are compensated for their involvement, with payments reaching up to $599 for three weeks of participation. The data collected from participants is currently exclusive to Google and historically Black colleges and universities aiming to apply for specific projects. Importantly, Howard University retains ownership of this data to ensure the privacy of participants and prevent any potential misuse.
As part of the project’s mission, a dataset comprising 600 hours of recorded responses has already been developed, with the transcriptions being processed by a Black-owned transcription company. Future plans include expanding the dataset to incorporate dialects from various regions of the African diaspora within the United States, thus further refining the technology’s ability to accurately recognize a wider range of speech patterns.
Williams highlights that misunderstanding certain voices poses a significant problem for technology accessibility and inclusivity. This initiative has garnered attention, featuring prominently in the forthcoming book titled AI for Community. The book discusses the potential applications of AI, particularly in preserving cultural heritage and enhancing language recognition systems.
Overall, Project Elevate Black Voices represents a critical step towards ensuring that voice recognition technology becomes more inclusive, accurate, and representative of diverse speech patterns. As this project progresses, it promises to create a more equitable technological landscape, where all users can interact comfortably and confidently with voice-driven AI.
Project Elevate Black Voices is an initiative led by Howard University in collaboration with Google, aimed at improving voice recognition technology for Black speech by broadening existing data sets.
The project is significant because voice recognition technology has historically struggled to accurately recognize Black speech, leading to higher error rates among Black users and creating accessibility issues.
The project has recruited over 530 African Americans from across the United States, who provide recorded responses in exchange for compensation, assisting in the creation of a more representative dataset.
Future plans include expanding the dataset to encompass dialects from various parts of the African diaspora, enhancing the technology’s capability to recognize a wider array of speech patterns.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | Partnership between Howard University and Google to enhance voice recognition for Black speech. |
| Dataset Size | Developed dataset of 600 hours of recorded responses processed by a Black-owned company. |
| Participant Recruitment | Over 530 African Americans recruited from 32 states with compensation of up to $599. |
| Data Ownership | Data is owned by Howard University to protect participant privacy. |
| Future Expansion | Plans to include dialects from various regions of the African diaspora for improved accuracy. |
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