Subscribe now

IF YOU have ever called a directory enquiries or flight information service, the chances are that you have spent a few happy minutes speaking to a computer. And according to some business analysts, talking to a computer in this way will soon become an everyday experience, one that changes the way we live and work.

This future relies on one enabling technology: voice-recognition software. Yet experts in the field can’t decide quite how well things are progressing. Some say it will be 50 years before a computer can truly understand what we say; others believe you’ll soon be chatting to…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop