The Sound of the Future

July 1, 2023
An introduction to an emerging new paradigm of voice interaction with machines. Giving commands to tech devices by voice has been around for years, but the thesis of this book is that the technology is ready to take a leap to the transformative level. Dengel, the president of WillowTree, a digital product design and development company, gathers numerous case studies from companies that have already begun to make the transition. The underpinning AI technology has undergone countless improvements, to the point that sophisticated, multitier interactions between users and devices are becoming possible. "The overarching driver," writes the author, "is the fact that we speak three times faster than we type....The beauty and power of voice is that it is the easiest, most natural, and most convenient way for us to communicate with our devices." The potential applications range from repetitive tasks like completing forms to complex work like software programming as well as creative activities. The real value, however, is likely to come from improved customer service and interaction at the personal level. Siri and Alexa have introduced millions of people to voice interfaces, but those systems have limitations in learning and recognition. Dengel sees them as representatives of the first generation of voice interaction, and the technology is moving beyond them. He emphasizes that people do not want tech to emulate humans; rather, they want interfaces that are reliable, clear, and flexible. For companies, integrating voice technology will require investments, but the productivity gains are worth it, especially if a custom-designed system is used. Although there are still issues such as use in noisy environments, it is clear that voice interaction is going to spread and develop. The author does a good job of explaining where it is going. From a solid base of experience, Dengel charts the way forward for the next technological shift.

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