International top conference on speech technology in Leeuwarden

From 24 to 27 August 2025, Leeuwarden will be the venue for the 13th Speech Synthesis Workshop. More than 150 experts from academia and industry will come together to answer a topical question: how can machines speak naturally, humanly and inclusively?

It is no coincidence that this conference is being held in Fryslân. This is a place where language and identity are strongly connected. Campus Fryslân (part of the University of Groningen) has been working on innovative AI technology with a social impact for years. Here, the focus is on the future and who will be heard in it.

The first few days of the conference will take place at the Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie theatre in Leeuwarden, and Wednesday 27 August will be at Campus Fryslân itself. That's when the Blizzard Challenge, an international competition between technology teams, will take place.

Minority languages in focus
During the workshop, experts will explore how minority languages can find their place in the world of speech synthesis. This technology involves creating an artificial voice using a computer. The techniques discussed at the workshop go far beyond the standard voices of digital assistants. Think of AI voices that can recognize emotions, understand cultural context, and also speak minority languages—developed sustainably, socially responsible, and almost indistinguishable from real human speech. After all, why should only world languages be available digitally?

Matt Coler, professor of speech technology at the UG Campus:
“In the Blizzard Challenge, international teams are working on the first speech synthesizer in Bildts. A world first with Frisian roots: Bildts, a regional language from northwest Fryslân, will thus get a digital voice. Language diversity is important for speech technology that sounds more human.”

Ynsprek Maraton
You don’t have to be a scientist to contribute to this technology. Residents of Fryslân can also participate. During the “Ynsprek Maraton” (Speak-in Marathon), people can record sentences in Frisian via their phone or computer. The initiative came from Friesland Convention Partners.

Jolanda Prosje, account manager at Friesland Convention Partners:
“For us, it is important that conferences also create more social value and that residents are involved in or benefit from such business events. By connecting various parties, including UG Campus Fryslân, Mozilla Common Voice, and the Province of Fryslân, this wonderful initiative came about.”

Residents who speak Frisian can help build a large audio database needed to make voice assistants, apps, and smart devices work in Frisian as well. You can, so to speak, donate your voice. “It’s important because then technology better matches how people here really speak,” says Wim Benes of Mozilla Common Voice.

About the organization
The workshop is a satellite event of INTERSPEECH, the largest international conference in this field, which will take place shortly beforehand in Rotterdam. The event is organized by Campus Fryslân, the Speech Tech Lab, and the Master's program in Speech Technology. The Speech Technology Lab focuses on speech technology, working on applications for small languages, inclusive human–machine interaction, and the ethical use of AI.

The conference is supported by Friesland Convention Partners, part of destination management organization Merk Fryslân. Friesland Convention Partners focuses on attracting and supporting business tourism, with a special emphasis on knowledge conferences. By working closely with local partners, the organization positions Friesland as a leading, sustainable conference destination.