University of Iowa professor raises concerns over Samsung Impulse app for stuttering [Video]

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – “This actually has a lot of implications for the global stuttering community,” Naomi Rodgers, director of University of Iowa stuttering lab, said.

As a person who stutters herself, Rodgers said that Samsung’s Impulse app and the ad for it contribute to harmful messaging that stuttering needs to be fixed.

“This app really puts the burden of responsibility on people who stutter to fix their speech to make it easier for listeners to listen to,” Rodgers said. “And that’s a very outdated perspective.”

The app uses AI to give users rhythmic impulses on their Galaxy watch to follow while they speak, similar to a metronome.

Rodgers said speaking to a metronome can make it difficult to concentrate on the conversation, and can sound robotic.

Julia Kerrigan is a founding member of the nonprofit SPACE, which advocates for people who stutter.

She works with children and adults …