Computer as a research tool in speech-understanding systems research

Abstract

Speech-Understanding Systems (2), likeseveral other problems that arise in Artificial Intelligence research, are characterized by high data rates, large amounts of data, and the need to perceive, understand and respond in real time. Thus, while it is acceptable to take 3–5 min to respond to a chess move, one expects an immediate response during a conversation. Unlike the conventional scientific applications, where the solution is known and merely needs to be programmed, in this case not only are the solutions not known but even the research methodology for the discovery of a solution was not well understood a few years ago. Thus the computer plays an important role in the scientific discovery for formulation and validation of models that can explain the perceptual phenomena associated with speech understanding. The role of such an interactive computer research system in information processing psychology is analogous to the role of an electron microscope in neurobiology. In this paper we will briefly discuss the structure and organization of a working speech-understanding system and discuss the facilities in our research environment and their relevance to this research.

This work was supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the office of the Secretary of Defense (F44620-73-C-0074) and is monitored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. This document has been approved for public release and sale; its distribution is unlimited.