Speech Blog

Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, speech recognition and the cloud have struggled, to varying degrees, under unrealistic expectations regarding the speed and degree to which they will affect many professions. But, increasingly, more industries are finding success incorporating these solutions as well as more mobile tech into their daily workflows.

Today’s technology cannot simply replace the valuable work that trained professionals are capable of. Instead, technology is freeing up professionals from repetitive tasks, providing easy file access across multiple platforms, and therefore allowing them to focus on the more strategic elements of their role.

AI, for example, like any technology, is not useful unless and until it’s necessary to solve a specific business problem. People falsely assume that AI systems are intelligent out of the box. But AI is only as intelligent as it’s trained to be, and only as neutral and accurate as the data it’s trained with. Somewhat similar findings are true for speech recognition, but those who have been using this technology for a while also know that voice-to-text software has come a very long way. Yet, it’s here to support humans, not replace them. Where we, for example, still see gaps in the software today, is the difficulty for it to recognize and distinguish different speakers, like in interviews.

Automation will never render trained professionals obsolete. This common, yet misplaced, fear underestimates what people do and the value they impart. Technology doesn’t work without people.

 

Tech in the Legal Industry

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have already arrived in many law firms and legal departments. Remarkable advances in legal AI technology have led some lawyers to worry that their profession may soon become a victim of Silicon Valley.

AI and legal technology will not automate the legal profession out of existence. Technology will facilitate growth and productivity by increasing accuracy and driving efficiencies. Cleverly integrated AI algorithms are already transforming outcomes in corporate compliance, due diligence, contract management, and e-discovery.

For lawyers and law firms who embrace artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, legal work will become more efficient and effective. More importantly, clients will demand it. Increasing sophistication in client technology adoption will apply pressure on law firms and lawyers, who will be selected for their technology-enhanced services and ability to focus on complex higher-value work to solve their clients’ legal and business problems. To stay relevant, traditional law firms and legal departments must understand the potential of AI and legal technology. Lawyers must embrace the unique, emerging value of AI and build a legal culture that reinforces the human value—lawyers exercising independent professional judgment, focusing on meaningful, complex, and mission-critical work for their clients.

Technology is transforming the legal profession, but it will not make the professional judgment and expertise of lawyers obsolete. It will enable those who adopt, employ, and leverage it to provide better and more cost-effective legal services and representation for their clients. Legal organizations and lawyers who embrace AI legal technology today will reap those benefits—and have a competitive advantage over those who do not.

 

Tech in the Healthcare Industry

The same anxieties emerged in healthcare about artificial intelligence taking the place of radiologists, robots surpassing the skills of surgeons, or taking jobs in pharma.

AI will transform the meaning of what it means to be a doctor: some tasks will disappear, while others will be added to the work routine. However, there will never be a situation where the embodiment of automation, either a robot or an algorithm, will take the place of a doctor.

Even if the array of technologies will offer brilliant solutions, it would be difficult for them to mimic empathy. We might never be able to imagine healthcare without human empathy. We will need doctors holding our hands while telling us about a life-changing diagnosis, their guide through therapy and their overall support. An algorithm cannot replace that.

Although data, measurements and quantitative analytics are a crucial part of a doctor’s work – and it is going to be even more critical in the future – setting up a diagnosis and treating a patient are not linear processes. It requires creativity and problem-solving skills that algorithms and robots will never have. Patients and their lifestyles vary to the degree that people differ. Diseases have the same feature. Thus, no case is the same. While algorithms will provide the data, interpretation will always remain a human territory.

 

Technological innovations always serve the purpose to help people. We are playing on the same team. No matter whether it’s AI, robotics, or automation with voice, we should accept that they have a massive influence on the way industries operate, and then start utilizing their power. Imagine the possibilities if the creativity and problem-solving skills of humans were combined with the infinite computing power and cognitive resource of technology.

 

Have questions about how tech is effecting your industry? Leave a comment and let us know!