5.8 Natural Language Processing
Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a branch of Artificial Intelligence. It gives computers the ability to understand text and spoken words the same way humans do. Writing AI- based NLP software is extremely difficult task. The NLP software has to accurately understand the intended meaning of text or voice data for interaction between computers and humans. It is about making computers learn, process and manipulated natural language just like human brain.
NLP plays a growing role in increasing efficiency and productivity in business. It is very helpful in streamlining business operations and simplifying business processes.
The following are some common applications of NLP.
5.8.1 Email Filtering
We receive pile of emails every day which are related with our work, studies or many other things. Some emails are important to use and some promotional or spam. Spam is unwanted junk email sent in bulk. Spam can be advertisement, marketing message or even malware (malicious software) that can be harmful. The NLP email filtering software uses artificial intelligence to identify the incoming emails as important or spam and places them into their respective folders. This is done by detecting certain words or phrases in the emails that signal a spam message. Email filtering is not 100% accurate. Sometimes an important email is wrongly identified as spam.
5.8.2 Language Translation
NLP language translation software can translate written or spoken words from one language to another. It uses AI technologies known as Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL). It is very helpful in removing language barriers. For example, it enables world leaders to participate in meetings where everyone speaks a different language. Here computer software and human interpreters work together to translate the speech into other languages. NLP programs can translate many other things such as books, business letters, websites, etc. and reduce cost of translation as well. The level of accuracy has increased as the technology is growing and advancing.