Essential for the development of voice interfaces, the understanding of spoken language for AI is constantly improving. Once capable of understanding only simple queries, AI is evolving and, thanks to NLP (Natural Language Processing), is reaching an ever-increasing level of comprehension.
The role of NLP for AI and bots
NLP, or natural language processing, is a recent technology whose aim is to promote understanding of human language by machines, using artificial intelligence. With the rise of AI, everyone will soon be able to interact with robots on a daily basis. However, in order for this collaboration to work as smoothly as possible, good communication is essential. This is where natural language processing comes into play, making it easier for machines to decipher, read and understand human language. To achieve this, the NLP relies on “Deep Learning” as well as lexicons. Artificial intelligences are then enriched with algorithms enabling them to analyse human language in order to find correlations and patterns.
The specificities and difficulties of oral language for bots
Spoken language has specific comprehension characteristics compared to written language. In terms of sentence structure, taking into account blanks and overall comprehension, oral language is more difficult for an AI to understand than written language. For example, the number 93 can be heard as 4, 20, 13 or 80 13. For this reason, the spoken element will first have to be converted into text before being converted back into spoken language. It is with this objective in mind that speech to text or text to speech conversion tools have been created. These tools automatically convert language to text and text to language using automated speech and text recognition functionalities.
From chatbots to callbots and voicebots
Where until a few years ago chatbots were the main focus, more and more voice recognition tools are being developed to make life easier for users. Chatbots, capable of conversing with a human via text, are now being replaced by increasingly high-performance voice AIs. The voicebot, in particular, is capable of conversing naturally orally, which enables it to diversify its uses. It can be found in particular with vocal aids such as Google Home or Alexa. Most voicebots are equipped with a screen that allows them to convert spoken to written and then written back to spoken.
Finally, the latest artificial intelligence that works orally is the callbot. This interactive voice server is no longer satisfied with “if you want… Type 1”, it takes the user experience even further by managing simple conversations in natural language. The callbot is thus able to generate entire conversations exclusively by voice, without any conversion to text.
The challenges of AI for the development of voice interfaces
Faced with the development of voice interfaces, AI must more than ever perfect its understanding of spoken language. Today able to understand simple requests, it should continue to evolve so that in a few years time it will be able to manage entire and complex oral conversations. Both at home and in companies, voice interfaces are playing an increasingly central role, particularly with the development and democratisation of voice aids, but also with the rise of interactive voice servers and voicebots in companies. If in the private environment, the voice interface makes it possible to improve daily life, in the professional environment, it is there to improve contact with the customer and increase sales volume. Internally, it is also a powerful tool for employees, particularly in terms of task management, communication and collaboration.
