Speech Recognition In Training: What You Need To Know

Speech Recognition In Training: What You Need To Know
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Summary: Speech analysis is widely used in AI and Machine Learning. According to many forecasts, the demand for voice controlled devices will grow in the upcoming years. Speech recognition technology can sure find its place also in the eLearning industry and soft-skills training for employees.

The Use Of Speech Recognition In Training – From Dictation To Virtual Assistants

Speech recognition technology has been developed over the last two hundred years, although in our minds it seems like a recent invention. Kempelen’s Acoustic-Mechanical Speech device from 1784 marked the first step in the development of speech recognition as we know it today. Over the past 200 years, there have been plenty of inventions that eventually led us to virtual assistants such as Siri, Cortana, or Alexa. Tech giants, as well as smaller startups, are constantly striving to improve the technology and find new ways how speech recognition can make life easier for everyone.

Speech recognition is currently widely used especially in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning. Companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Apple have been offering virtual assistants in their devices for years already. Google recently unveiled its new AI that can make phone calls, book appointments, have a conversation, and sound like a human. The difference in communication between a human and a machine is getting smaller.

All these companies own huge databases of spoken word from their customers all around the globe. Everything ever said to assistants such as Siri or Alexa is forever stored and used to improve speech recognition. Thanks to hundreds of thousands of hours of spoken word are these devices close to 99% of accuracy.

The Use Of Speech Recognition Technology In Day To Day Life

Most of us are using speech recognition technology every single day without even noticing it. Speech-to-text programs have made life easier for people with disabilities as well as journalists, writers, doctors, lawyers, and many other professions. Even before we got to know Siri we used automated phone directories. Nowadays we can search on Google with voice commands or just ask our smartphone to show us weather forecasts or to set up a timer.

Smart homes are just another example of great use of voice recognition technology. Even game developers are creating games that can be commanded by voice. Singapore is at the moment one of the leading countries in the use of voice technology services; nearly half of the population has tried virtual assistants such as Siri or Google Now.

Trends And Forecasts

The future seems to be promising for speech recognition technology. According to the Global forecast for 2023, the speech recognition market should grow rapidly. It’s expected to reach approximately 16 billion USD mark in 2023. The United States has currently the highest share of the market, whereas Asia Pacific countries are still emerging markets and are expected to significantly grow in this area.

Using voice to control devices or perform searches is already pretty common. By 2020 Google expects that 50 % of all internet searches will be done by voice and approximately 30 % of searches will be done without the screen at all.

Use Of Speech Recognition In Soft Skills Training

Speech recognition is widely used in AI. Learning platforms combining Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence may use speech recognition to provide a better-personalized learning experience. Employees in customer service or sales can benefit from role-playing with an AI and prepare for real-life situations with customers. This approach makes training more effective and enjoyable. The trainee has to speak and interact with the tool as they would with a real person. In this way, they will be better prepared for the job.

Product Training

Vendors usually offer necessary information via online call or simply include the documentation with their shipments. Reading and memorizing is not just boring, but also utterly ineffective. Communicating with a platform using voice recognition technology allows the employee to naturally form the thoughts and talk as they would be with a real customer.

Call Center Training

Instead of watching videos or listening to a recorded interaction, leaders can place their agents in a roleplay situation where they gain hands-on-experience and practice their communication skills with a virtual customer. There are different types of customers, some are calm and sophisticated, some are straightforward. It is important to prepare the agents for any type of situation.

Other training areas where the use of voice recognition technology could be beneficial:

  • Customer service courses
  • Soft skills training
  • Sales training
  • Argumentation and handling objections

How To Prepare Training Using Speech Recognition?

As a trainer, you can choose from available learning platforms and technologies allowing you to create your own training program based on various scenarios. You can set up the most common arguments and objections your customers have as the predefined answers of the virtual customer. Combination of Virtual Reality and speech recognition allows you to create the environment and real situations your employees deal with.

Speech recognition in these platforms usually recognize keywords in the answers of employees and choose the right argument or question. As a trainer, you should set up keywords prior to the training so the experience is as real as it can be.

Why Should You Use Speech Recognition In Your Company?

Speech recognition, VR, and AI technologies might disrupt the way we run employee training today. Current trends show us that the future of eLearning will be all about automatization, personalization, and an experience.

Benefits Of Learning Platforms With Speech Recognition

  • Cost-effectiveness
    It’s cheaper to run automated training with an interactive VR platform than having multiple one-on-one trainings with every employee.
  • Personalization
    Every person is different and needs a different approach; some people are weaker in negotiation, but better in product information. Automated training allows them to go through certain topics, again and again, so they can improve their skills.
  • Real life scenarios
    A company PDF document or a few roleplays with a trainer won’t prepare the employee on real-life experience with customers. Speech recognition can analyze their arguments, provide opportunities for practice, and offer suggestions.

Disadvantages Of Speech Recognition And Learning Platforms

  • The offer is still small
    Speech recognition in eLearning is still at its beginning. You can already choose from solutions that can fit your company’s needs. Startups developing such tools at this moment. There are limited solutions on the market.

Summary

There is no doubt that the market for voice recognition technologies will rapidly grow in the upcoming years. Various industries are already benefiting from this technology and eLearning is not any different. An innovative approach to employee training can be an advantage compared to the competitors.