The Loom of Minds and Technology: NLP's Artful Weaving of Human Language and AI in the Field of Education, Business, and Healthcare

Skye Chang

National Chengchi University

Writing and Reading II: Project II

Prof. June Liu

November 26, 2023

The Loom of Minds and Technology: NLP's Artful Weaving of Human Language and AI in Education, Business, and Healthcare

　　In the intricate web of the human brain, various parts gracefully work together to decipher the languages we are immersed in. However, a captivating mystery unfolds when we shift our gaze toward artificial intelligence: How do machines fathom the language we produce? How does artificial intelligence navigate the labyrinth of human language, decoding the intricacies and nuances? The concept of Natural language processing (NLP) has been around since Alan Turing issued the paper proposing an imitation game – now called the “Turing Test” – in the 1950s (Cholakov, 2023). NLP is an essential framework of artificial intelligence (AI), providing computers the ability to comprehend and generate textual and verbal words – the natural language – in the same manner as humans do (What Is Natural Language Processing? | IBM, n.d.-b). With NLP’s aid by breaking down the input language with several techniques – including speech recognition, grammatical tagging, word sense disambiguation, named entity recognition (NEM), co-reference resolution, sentiment analysis, natural language generation, and others – computers can seamlessly interpret input and generate responses with elevated accuracy (What Is Natural Language Processing? | IBM, n.d.). Given the above, NLP is believed to be the backbone of AI. NLP, akin to a loom, artfully weaves the threads of AI and human language, crafting the intricate fabric of education, business, and healthcare.

　　In contrast to the traditional grind of teaching and learning, NLP technologies have caused a paradigm shift in pedagogy, which expedited and reshaped the education sector. The conventional learning process is often a one-size-fits-all approach, where students navigate a standardized curriculum at a fixed pace. Many teachers may often find themselves grappling with time-consuming and energy-draining after-class tasks and adhering to a general schedule; this often results in the development of methods lacking timely responsiveness, making it challenging to cater to each student's needs. Consequently, this creates inefficiency and inconsistency in students' learning. However, NLP technologies in education manifest their capacity to promote and individualize the teaching and learning process in various ways (Matellio, 2023). For instance, ChatGPT provides personalized learning experiences with on-demand assistance across subjects, enhancing learning efficiency. (Cobo & Cobo, 2023). Beyond the classroom, ChatGPT streamlines after-class tasks, concurrently addressing accessibility concerns while providing teachers sufficient time to enhance teaching approaches and efficiency (Finley, 2023). In addition, ChatGPT aids in language mastery, offering instant feedback on writing assignments and aiding in proofreading (Williams, 2023). NLP technologies have become virtual mentors through their analytical prowess in assessing students' performance and answering queries. They seamlessly integrate technology and pedagogy, reshaping the education landscape, which heralds a future where learning transcends a mere process, evolving into a personalized and efficient experience.

　　The incorporation of NLP into digital assistants has expanded its influence within the realm of business services, elevating the efficiency of user interactions. NLP merges computational linguistics with advanced statistical and analytical machine learning models, enabling digital assistants – such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa – to comprehend and respond to human speech (TS2 Space, 2023). For instance, Siri incorporated with NLP, decodes intent and context to take appropriate counteractions in real time and furnishes pertinent replies naturally and conversationally (TS2 Space, 2023). Siri leverages NLP to execute various tasks, ranging from setting alarms to finding fine-dining restaurants, demonstrating their versatile utility (Watch Lectures From the Best Researchers., n.d.). In this case, NLP optimizes the user experience of navigating websites, applications, and other personal commands. The progression and enhancements of NLP contribute to a more accessible digital assistant in enhancing operational efficiency for the users engaged in business services.

　　In its progressive stages, the deployment of NLP into humanoid robots has been transforming the vista of healthcare industries and promising a bright future. NLP-powered humanoid robots have been presenting thrilling utilizations in providing emotional support, completing mundane tasks, presenting virtual visits with the professionals, and so forth (Moshayedi et al., 2023). NLP-powered humanoid robots– such as Pepper, Hobbit, and ED– have boosted care quality and efficiency, which leads to the advancement of personalized and remote caring systems in the healthcare domain. One affecting incident of such application is observed at a nursing home in Roseville, Minnesota (Villafranca, 2023). Breckenridge, an 83-year-old lady diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease was taken back in time while interacting with Pepper, the humanoid robot (Villafranca, 2023). When looking at a clip of her past photos played by Pepper, Breckenridge recalled how much she adores Lucky Strike, her childhood horse (Villafranca, 2023). Breckenridge’s daughter, Fenn, was overjoyed to see her mother’s interaction with Pepper; “She was beaming!” said Fenn (Villafranca, 2023). In addition to engaging with individuals, Pepper can also sing and dance to entertain other elders, assess sentiments to eliminate negative emotions, and take care of the mundane everyday tasks in the nursing home (Cox, 2022). With NLP embedded in humanoid robots continuously developed and refined, it is believed to keep innovating the outlook of healthcare industries constantly.

　　Through exploring the expansive realm of NLP, this essay has shed light on its applications in education, business, and healthcare, unraveling the intricate fabric of its influence across these diverse domains. From revolutionizing education processes to elevating user interactions in business services through digital assistants and even offering a promising future for healthcare with humanoid robots, the diverse facets of NLP have woven a complex yet invaluable tapestry. As this technological loom seamlessly weaves through AI and human language, it not only brings unprecedented opportunities for convenience and efficiency but also ensures a custom-fit approach within these crucial domains. While the future trajectory of NLP applications remains uncertain, the certainty lies in its enduring presence and continuous evolution, affirming that NLP is not just a fleeting trend but a lasting and integral force in shaping the web of our interconnected world.

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