Natural Language Processing (NLP), also termed as “computer linguistics”, enables the computers to understand and analyze the human language, and generate responses that are understandable by humans. Computer programs usually require input of commands in a form that is precise, structured and “understandable” to computers. In comparison to that, auditory commands are not structured and can vary greatly from person to person. The development of NLP helps in the analysis of data even if it is not in the form of computer languages like C++ or Java; hence, it widens the scope of “readable” data. In short, NLP bridges the gap between human and computer communication.
Computers are far more efficient than they were in the past and can do many things faster than human capacity. However, computers still lack the ability to understand varying speech patterns of natural languages. NLP allows the computers to understand those language patterns accurately.
In today’s world of technology, people have an online world that is easy to access to communicate their opinions. Internet also gives space to consumers of different products and services to share their experiences in the online space.
The amount of data generated today is abundant and contains useful information. However, analyzing that data is one major task outside the human potential. The programs available do add efficiency to the whole process but still cannot match the amounts of data being generated. Even with those programs, some areas cannot be analyzed as they need numbers and figures for analysis e.g. understanding human communication which comprises of words.
What can be achieved if computers are able enough to understand human linguistics?
NLP has great potential in helping businesses and entrepreneurs grow by learning consumer interests and/or responses using their online communication patterns. This is done by combining NLP with data analysis. It allows the analysis of larger amounts of unstructured communications. Using the analysis, business organizations and entrepreneurs can learn to better understand human communication at a larger scale. A knowledge of specific word patterns that are linked with product sales can also help companies improve their market value.
Being in its very basic stages of development, NLP is already providing services in the form of spam detection, speech recognition using Siri and providing online customer assistance, and it has changed the dynamics of communication of consumers with organizations.
NLP is a constituent part of artificial intelligence and it will work in its full potential if the computers that make use of the NLP should be more efficient and dynamic than they are now. We can see a revolution in the near future after NLP and AI will transform the technological world and increase the efficiency of every field including business.
