Voice Recognition

Two decades ago, voice recognition technology was a relatively new thing to the general consumer. Its most useful application was in software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking that allowed emails and memos to be dictated to a computer instead of typed out on a keyboard. The technology worked—sort of—but was limited by the capabilities of decades-old processors, rendering it a mostly niche product whose biggest selling point was making PCs more accessible.

Voice recognition technology is now the cornerstone of voice-activated smart assistants available through our smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, speakers, and various home appliances (with questionably smart upgrades). It was arguably one of the technologies that makes devices like a smartwatch a viable alternative to using a smartphone for common tasks such as messaging or even setting a simple timer, and it’s allowed us to continue to our mobile devices in vehicles without taking our eyes off the road.

The technology even allows smart assistants to recognize who’s speaking to it, serving up content specifically tailored to individual users in a home, and every time you call your bank and telco with a question, there’s a good chance your identity is being partially confirmed by your unique voice. Voice recognition’s usefulness has expanded well past simple dictation, and as we slowly approach a future where devices in hand are replaced by smart glasses strapped to our faces, simply speaking to our devices isn’t going to become an even more important form of interaction.