Natural Language Processing, commonly known as NLP, is a crucial area of artificial intelligence that focuses on the interaction between computers and humans through natural language. The ultimate objective of NLP is to enable computers to understand, interpret, and respond to human languages in a valuable and meaningful way. It involves the application of computational techniques to the analysis and synthesis of natural language and speech.
NLP combines computational linguistics—rule-based modeling of human language—with statistical, machine learning, and deep learning models. These technologies enable computers to process human language in the form of text or voice data and understand its full meaning, complete with the speaker or writer’s intent and sentiment. NLP is used in a variety of applications, including text translation, sentiment analysis, customer service, and information retrieval.
In practical applications, NLP powers the functionality of various everyday tools and platforms. It’s the technology behind voice-operated GPS systems, digital assistants, speech-to-text dictation software, customer service chatbots, and automated translation services. For businesses, NLP is crucial for analyzing customer feedback and automating responses in customer service platforms.