[HDR] How AI is Transforming the study of Language Development

This habilitation explores the impact of recent advancements in AI, and more specifically, Natural Language Processing (NLP) on the study of child language development, highlighting its potential to apply findings and theories to real-world learning environments. It examines three key aspects of language development: sensory input, cognitive mechanisms, and social interactions. Modern NLP tools have been utilized to quantify the richness of sensory input, test cognitive mechanisms beyond controlled settings, and analyze learning through child-caregiver communication. The research also underscores the role of NLP as a tool for comprehensive theory development and refinement in language acquisition studies.