Conversing with computers— the dream and the controversy

Abstract

Recent developments have brought speech communication between people and computers to the stage where it can be used in practical applications. At the same lime, however, it is clear that the use of natural language as a universal input-output medium is a long way off and some people say that it is wrong to be making the attempt. This paper looks at the applications which are already possible. Having identified the separate problems of speech communication and natural language it then considers the difficulties which stand in the way of further development. It then looks at the basis of the controversy. One conclusion that is drawn is that the ergonomic approach offers a way of resolving some of these problems.