Exploring Voice AI: The Future is by Everyone and for Everyone
Hey there, I'm Joan Paula Bajorek, the head of conversational research and strategy at Versa, a leading voice agency. I am also the founder of Women and Voice, an international empowerment organization for women and gender diversity in voice technology. I am thrilled to be here and share my insights on the ever-evolving Voice AI landscape.
The Future of Technology as Seen by Futurists
In an age where we're increasingly relying on technology to simplify our tasks, one quote by Mark Cuban resonates well: "There's no future that doesn't have ambient computing or voice activation". This highlights the integral role of voice technology in setting the stage for the future.
About Me
Born and raised in Seattle, I am a linguist and a researcher, having completed my Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. As an Alexa Champion, I am committed to fostering the growth of the voice technology ecosystem.
Overview
In this article, I will be addressing key themes such as Voice AI, the ever-growing ubiquity of voice technology, multimodal, and integrated builds for all.
Understanding Voice AI
Voice AI, a form of artificial intelligence or augmented information, interprets words and even sends them out. To put it simply, it's like normal conversation - the only difference is that your partner isn't a human but a computer.
The Ubiquity of Voice Technology
Google reports that 20% of their searches are made by voice query, indicating a shift in user behavior. Google and Amazon have been dominating the IoT market with millions of their voice-assisted devices being sold and used worldwide.
Moving Towards Multimodality
The future of tech lies in multimodality, i.e., leveraging multiple modes such as text, audio, visual video, augmented reality, virtual reality gesture, and voice inputs/outputs. To realize this concept, we need power-packed hardware that can process the large amount of data required in a diverse set of applications.
Tech for All
When we consider tech for all, we must consider the diversity in our population in terms of gender, race, language, and physical abilities. Currently, there are significant biases in the recognition of race and gender by voice recognition technologies.
Prospects for Improvement
Improving the inclusivity of these systems could result in significant financial benefits, as an inclusive system could cater to a wider range of consumers with diverse purchasing power.
Voice Technology in Action
Companies worldwide are creating innovative solutions using voice technology. Some examples include Soapbox Labs, a leading developer of voice tech for kids, and Versa, working on projects with renowned companies like Dominos, Huggies, and Coca Cola.
Building a Global Community with Women in Voice
Through Women in Voice, I aim to create an empowering and inclusive community for women and minority genders in voice tech. With chapters globally, we organize tech events, webinars and hackathons, and provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and professional growth.
Are you interested in diving deeper into the world of Voice AI or becoming a part of a thriving global community? Feel free to get in touch with me or explore our resources on womenandvoice.org. Let's create a future where technology is by everyone and for everyone.