Natural language processing (NLP) technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade, creating a bridge between humans and computers. NLP combines artificial intelligence and smart algorithms capable of understanding human language. The technology is becoming more nuanced, as it can now understand a variety of accents and dialects.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) Removes More Limitations

While smart devices evolve every year, we are still limited by what our hands can touch and what our eyes can see. The Apple Watch has gotten the ball rolling in terms of tackling kinetic challenges, but the device is nothing more than a phone extension at the moment. The future of personal technology will focus on ways to limit the need for users to look at a screen. In fact, smart devices with touchscreens may soon be phased out in the same way that MP3 players, desktop computers and standalone point-and-shoot cameras fell out of popularity. Let’s take a closer look at how natural language processing could revolutionize app development in the near future.

Biometrics Are Changing the Game

The natural language processing market is already huge, and it is expected to grow considerably over the coming years, with the market’s worth expected to surpass $16 billion by 2021. The industry’s projected growth is being fueled by advancements in areas such as biometrics.

Users can already interact with Siri or Alexa via voice commands, but these interactions will become more sophisticated once machines can detect non-verbal communication more accurately. For instance, facial expressions and gestures may be used as security features to access mobile devices or apps with sensitive data.

Apps equipped with biometrics and NLP will be able to more clearly understand nonverbal cues in order to comprehend a user’s emotional state. An app that can read a person’s body language could be useful in the retail or sales world, as it could assess consumer reactions to a product or service. By gathering this data, a retailer can better determine the effectiveness of its marketing campaigns and how consumers feel about new products.

Biometrics and NLP technology will also appear in commercial settings, similar to how restaurants are adding iPads and touchscreens for ordering food. Consumers may soon be ordering food or finding the right pair of sneakers with apps that can more accurately assess what exactly they’re looking for based on their reactions to certain products. The process of finding what you want will become faster since you won’t have to type anything in; a conversation will be enough to achieve your goals.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) Provides Access to More Actionable Data

Another exciting element of natural language processing is the technology’s ability to offer access to more relevant data. For example, if you work in e-commerce and want to know how subscription revenue has grown, a software assistant equipped with NLP will be able to provide as much information as you desire. You can ask questions through text or voice commands on smart devices, while the actual calculations and data analysis are performed in the cloud.

Such an app would make the lives of workers and clients simpler, as they would be able to attain actionable business insights more conveniently and comprehensively. It would streamline the process of gathering and analyzing data by giving professionals access to every piece of data analysis they might want.

Streamlining Communication Channels

Soon, apps could serve as personal assistants. There are plenty of tedious tasks that bog us down in our day-to-day lives, such as sorting through emails and creating new contacts.

NLP will be able to organize emails into a number of categories based on the content of the messages. For legal professionals, NLP technology could identify whether an email is coming from a client, a fellow attorney, an administrative worker, a marketer, law enforcement professional or a family member. By analyzing the sender’s email account, the content of their messages, the tone of what they’re writing and the level of formality, NLP can categorize emails in a swift and efficient manner.

The technology also has the potential of unearthing valuable insights from your emails. It’s conceivable that NLP could help a stockbroker who is dealing with large-cap companies and getting dozens of messages regarding quarterly reports, new product launches and other business decisions garner an understanding of how the S&P 500 Index may move over the coming weeks.

Additionally, NLP can extract contact information from emails, virtually eliminating the process of manually entering this information. An NLP app could link up to your phone contacts, emails and messaging apps to automate the process of exporting names, email addresses, phone numbers and more. Plus, NLP can assess an email sender’s intention since people use different words, phrases and sentence structures based on how committed they are to buying something. NLP can learn a prospective client’s tone and identify who is more likely to make a purchase.

Natural Language Processing Makes for a More Connected App Experience

It’s nearly impossible to be a professional in the 21st century without owning a personal smart device and a laptop. Yet while our lives are easier and more convenient than ever, virtually every industry is still riddled with inefficiencies and tedious tasks that prevent us from being as productive and effective as we could be.

However, recent advancements in NLP suggest that we may soon have apps that can communicate with us on a more sophisticated level. Developments in biometrics are bolstering the customer service and sales industry, while smart algorithms equipped with NLP can provide detailed answers to our questions. Plus, NLP will streamline processes such as sorting through emails, analyzing emails and manually inputting contact data. Natural language processing technology is evolving rapidly, and soon, we will have the smartest apps ever.

Tackle Natural Language Processing (NLP) with 7T

In order to implement natural language processing into your app, you will need a developer with the experience and technical expertise to help you do so. The team at 7T specializes in custom app development and natural language processing to streamline your business solutions and bolster your bottom line. We’re also well-versed in other innovative technologies, including augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain and natural language processing.

While 7T is based in Dallas, we also serve Austin, Houston, and beyond. If you’re ready to make the most of natural language processing, contact us today.