applications of language technology
New opportunities for performance and profits
Many of the technologies being commercialised by the Edinburgh-Stanford Link
are still at the research lab stage, although some have already been tested in real
applications by our business partners.
The Link plays a key role in accelerating the introduction of language technology
and HCI research into main stream applications, helping companies create
competitive advantage, with strong growth, profits and a swift return on
investment.
Some of major applications for language technology include:
Information management
A key application for advanced language technology is more accurate information
retrieval and storage. This is especially important given our current state of
information overload. The World Wide Web for example has grown to over 3
billion web pages in around 10 years. Some Internet search engines have already
started using language technology to improve search results beyond simple
keyword word searches, but within a few years it will be possible to use shallow
semantics technology to search pages according to their meaning – bringing the
so-called ‘Semantic Web’ to life.
Q and A systems
By combining improved search functionality with natural language processing,
scientists can build advanced question and answer (Q&A) systems. The interfaces
of such systems will most likely resemble the primitive Q&A search engines
currently in use, but the results will differ significantly. Such systems will be able
to provide actual answers to naturally asked questions, rather than simply
pointing users at web pages that might just contain key words. This functionality
will have obvious and powerful effects on corporate knowledge management, as
well as education.
Learning
A plethora of intelligent search engines that answer queries rather than simply
pointing to inappropriate web pages could produce a revolution in education. In
addition, software that can recognize user abilities and adapt to individual skill
sets is now being developed and implemented in advanced tutoring systems. By
being both interactive and intuitive they'll offer their advice and guidance with the
patience of a saint!
Operations support
Now that computers are beginning to ‘understand’ meaning, they can perform
more and more tasks that require basic intelligence. We have a range of projects
in the operations field, including a home automation project that uses voice
commands to switch appliances on and off, and a robotic helicopter that can be
controlled via voice. Applications for voice controlled robotics range from military
use to work in sub-sea oil pipeline repair.
Virtual Agents
Recently, several technologies have been used to create ‘virtual agents’ or
‘avatars’ that could soon take the place of humans in some circumstances. The
Link is also concerned with making avatars more interactive and lifelike, by giving
them apparent ‘personalities’. One promising application is the automated call
centre, whereby a computer uses voice recognition and natural language
processing, combined with business process modelling, to deal with enquiries, and
replies using a synthesized voice specially developed for that company.
Entertainment
Virtual characters in computer games are nothing new. However, while the
advanced graphics in today’s computer games are often breathtaking, gamers’
interactions with the characters are often awkward and limited. Therefore
computer games companies are now starting to incorporate virtual characters that
not only look real, but act realistically as well. And, crucially for game players,
these virtual characters will speak and act in unpredictable ways, dramatically
improving gaming interaction and player involvement.
View Introduction to Language Technology
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© 2005 Edinburgh-Stanford Link. |
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Introduction
