Navigating Text-to-Speech (TTS): Ethical Leadership in the Use of Generative AI for Extension

Authors

• Xue A Dong, Office of Engagement and Extension, Colorado State UniversityFollow
• Paul A Hill, Center for Rural Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Utah State UniversityFollow

Volume

64

Issue

2

Abstract

Text-to-speech (TTS) AI technology transforms written content into natural-sounding speech, offering a useful tool to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in Extension work. This article examines the role of TTS AI in bridging communication gaps, particularly for diverse and multilingual communities, and demonstrates the importance of ethical leadership in its adoption. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, Extension professionals can leverage TTS AI to foster greater connection and engagement. Practical applications and examples are provided to guide the integration of TTS AI into programs. The article also offers recommendations for experimenting with innovative technologies to improve educational outcomes and increase the overall impact on accessibility and inclusivity.

Authors’ Contribution Statement

Xue A. Dong: Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Project administration, Resources, Software, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing; Paul A. Hill: Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing.

Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Dong, X., & Hill, P. (2026). Navigating Text-to-Speech (TTS): Ethical Leadership in the Use of Generative AI for Extension. Journal of Extension, 64(2), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.66752/1077-5315.5759