In recent years, we have been increasingly using voice as a tool for controlling and communicating with machines. This ongoing process is changing the way we interact with our most important and powerful tools, which has profound implications for our relationships with technology and society at large.
The shift towards a voice-controlled world has been greatly accelerated by the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models. Instead of artificial and frustrating conversations we have with assistants like Alexa or Siri, generative artificial intelligence offers naturally fluent, context-aware two-way communications.
One person who carefully considers these changes is author and president of WillowTree, Tobias Dengel. In his latest book, “The Sound of the Future: The Era of Voice Technology,” Dengel explores the ways in which the world is likely to change as the final technical barriers of programming and machine control are broken down.
Dengel argues that the change in how we communicate with machines has far broader implications than just enabling us to have conversations with devices. The natural nature of language means that we will use technology much more efficiently, making it more accessible to a larger number of people.
During our conversation, he tells me, “People can speak three times faster than they can type – probably five times faster than the average person typing on a mobile device… that’s a key insight. I guarantee you that when something that used to take three minutes can now be done in 15 seconds, the world will change overnight.”
His position is that the world will quickly move towards a model where voice becomes our primary interface to machines. In other words, for advanced machine operations such as programming computers, we will no longer need to learn machine language because they will communicate in our language.
Accessibility is an important issue here. Transitioning to voice interaction with technology democratizes its use, meaning that a larger and more diverse group of people will be able to utilize advanced systems for problem-solving. Dengel believes that this is not just a matter of convenience, but a fundamental shift in our relationships with technology.
As he says, “You will see every interface between human and machine being shifted towards voice.”
Sound in Action
In his book, as well as in our conversation, Tobias provides examples of how this change is already happening.
Of course, they include voice assistants that we all have in our homes and on our phones, but he emphasizes that this trend goes far beyond Alexa and Siri.
One of his favorite examples is Cathay Pacific, which, as he claims, applied speech recognition technology in an assistant tool for routine aircraft maintenance and cleaning.
“Now, they have a voice saying: ‘Hey, seat 13C has a broken armrest’ while performing their job.”
He also points out voice control technology developed for military aircraft, which is now being implemented in civil aviation.
“All of these incidents happened because pilots didn’t know what the aircraft was doing and how to work with it – if they had voice instructions, they could’ve disengaged autopilot, done something, and avoid those accidents.”
As an example of how this can revolutionize everyday technologies, he suggests that banking applications will significantly improve when users can simply ask for what they want and receive immediate results, instead of navigating through hundreds of potential functions on a small screen.
He also mentions one of WillowTree’s clients, a large non-alcoholic beverage producer, which has developed voice systems that enable ordering spare parts for machines in vending machines or restaurants. This saves hours previously spent browsing catalogs for location and product codes.
Ethics and Challenges
The impact that this change will have on society cannot be overstated. One of the biggest questions relates to its impact on employment and jobs.
“Statistics show that there will be more jobs,” Dengel says, “but there will also be some disruptions.
“And here, making political decisions, government support is essential.”
According to Dengel, positions such as call center operators are already endangered as they are being replaced by AI conversation tools.
But according to Dengel, this will be balanced not only by new jobs, such as “prompt engineers” that will be created, but also by the multitude of ways in which we will be able to create value using AI.
Security concerns are equally important. We already see scammers and extortionists using AI voice technology to impersonate people. There is a real risk that these attacks will become more widespread as AI becomes cheaper and more accessible, leading to more victims.
However, Dengel is not overly concerned about the distant worries that are sometimes raised.
He says, “Some people talk about AI going crazy and fighting with humans… I personally don’t worry too much about that, at least in our lifetime.
“ChatGPT is amazing, but currently it can’t even change the mailing address on your American Express card because it’s not connected to the system. But it can be effectively used for malicious purposes.”
Preparing for a Voice-Powered Future
How can we prepare for this universal shift towards voice-controlled technology and engaging in natural conversations with machines?
Dengel suggests that the answer lies in recognizing the challenge and boldly tackling it. This means creating teams composed of technologists, engineers, designers, communication experts, and business leaders. Their main goal is to identify opportunities and potential threats to the business, allowing for proactive management rather than reactive responses.
“That’s always the first step,” Dengel says, “because you start to define what’s possible, but you do it in the context of what’s real, because you involve people associated with the technology… and then you create a roadmap.”
This “workshop” approach, initiated by Apple and adopted by various tech giants at the forefront of the upcoming transformation, is equally applicable to anyone who wants to gain an advantage from the voice technology revolution.
FAQ Section:
1. How can voice interaction with machines change our relationships with technology?
Voice interaction with machines has broad implications, allowing us to use technology more efficiently and democratizing its use. It becomes more accessible to a larger number of people.
2. What are some examples of changes resulting from voice interaction with technology?
Examples include the use of speech recognition in assisting tools for aircraft maintenance and cleaning, voice control technology for military and civilian aircraft, and voice systems in banking applications and ordering spare parts for machines.
3. How will voice interaction impact society?
Voice interaction has implications for employment and jobs. Some positions may be replaced by AI conversation tools. However, new jobs will be created, and there are numerous ways to create value using AI.
The source of the article is from the blog krama.net