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Linguistics Expert Predicts Voice Technology Will Play Pivotal Role in Spotting Terrorists; New Sequence Packaging Tool Can Speed Up Data Analysis

10/11/2001
Business Wire
(Copyright (c) 2001, Business Wire)

LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2001--Even when law enforcement officials are able to listen in on the conversations of suspected terrorists and other criminals, wading through the massive amount of data collected from those conversations is an enormous task. Linguistics expert Dr. Amy Neustein predicts that a new voice technology tool called Sequence Package Analysis will play a key role in making the job easier.

Dr. Neustein, President and Founder of Linguistic Technology Systems, is participating in a panel discussion on this and other issues during the October 24-26 SpeechTEK 2001 Exposition and Conference at the New York Hilton. (Why Linguistics is Important, Friday, October 26, 11:00 AM)

On the panel with Dr. Neustein are Dr. Madeleine Bates, Senior Program Manager, BBN Technologies; Dr. Deborah Dahl, Manager, Advanced Development, Natural Language Business Initiative, Unisys; Dr. Judith J. Markowitz, President, J. Markowitz Consultants; and moderator Dr. Kurt Godden, Director of Linguistics, JustTalk, Inc.

In an article published recently in the March issue of the International Journal of Speech Technology, ("Using Sequence Package Analysis to Improve Natural Language Understanding," Vol. 4, Issue 1, pp. 31-44) Dr. Neustein described how sequence package data can be mapped into algorithms. Sequence packages are a series of related language construction units that make up either single or multiple episodes of talk. Sequence packages such as an unusually high incidence of pronoun usage occurring in certain portions of the dialogue may indicate familiar and well-rehearsed subject matter, which can serve as possible clues of terrorist plans and activities. This sequence package approach represents a novel way of analyzing wiretap communications because it does NOT necessarily require the spotting of "key" words, which has traditionally been the approach to analyzing communications. Understandably, terrorist or other criminals would refrain from using "key" words that are likely to raise alarm or suspicion.

While the most urgent application would be national security, Dr. Neustein says the technology can be readily used in the private sector for call centers, voice portals, and embedded speech products.

In its seventh year, SpeechTEK brings leaders in speech technology together with business and governmental decision-makers, developers, integrators, engineers, investors and analysts - virtually everyone with an interest in speech technology applications. All participants, whether from inside or outside the speech technology industry, get the opportunity to share knowledge, create partnerships, sell products and propose solutions for improving products via speech technology.

SpeechTEK Exposition and Educational Conference is the world's largest trade show and conference dedicated to speech technology and all of its applications in the global marketplace - reaching thousands of participants with information on the products, technologies and innovations affecting the emerging speech technology industry.

CONTACT: AmComm, Lexington Doug Alexander, 859/278-2223 x 105 E-Mail: doug@amcommexpos.com

09:01 EDT OCTOBER 11, 2001