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Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)

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TL;DR. The technology that enables computers to convert spoken language into written text.

Technical Definition

The technology that enables computers to convert spoken language into written text.

How it works

ASR is a foundational technology for voice-enabled AI systems. It analyzes audio input, distinguishing between different sounds and words to transcribe them accurately. The performance of ASR is crucial for the overall effectiveness of voice agents, as errors in transcription can lead to misinterpretations by the NLU component.

Related Concepts

  • Text-to-Speech — A model that converts written text into natural-sounding spoken audio.
  • Natural Language Understanding (NLU) — The ability of a computer program to understand human language as it is spoken or written.
  • Voice Agent — An AI system that interacts with users through spoken language, often used in customer service.