Artificial Intelligence Adoption and Ethical Considerations Among Speech-Language Pathologists in 2025

Abstract

Purpose: Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly with new tools and capabilities emerging quickly. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) utilize AI in clinical practice, but it is unclear how SLPs use AI tools and the factors that SLPs consider in their decision-making. This study presents a survey of SLPs to (a) document the extent and nature of AI use, (b) assess perceived quality and general opinions of AI, (c) identify ethical, legal, and institutional factors influencing their decisions, and (d) identify the types of AI training currently used and the desired training.Method: 227 SLPs across Ohio completed a survey about the types of AI tools they use, the factors influencing their use, general opinions about AI, and specific concerns about the use of AI. Participants who used AI within the last six months were categorized as “AI-users” compared to “non-AI users" who had not. Results: SLPs reported using AI often in their clinical practice across a wide range of tasks. SLPs reported concerns about accuracy or reliability, and ethical concerns as reasons for limiting or not using AI tools. Perceptions of AI quality were mixed, with SLPs split equally on whether AI could produce outputs similar to an average clinician. SLPs reported a significant need for guidance and training in AI tools and ethics. Conclusion: The results highlight the need for clear guidance on use of AI tools, including ethical implications, along with additional training for SLPs.

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