VOICE TECHNOLOGY
1. Context
Bank and cyber frauds in India are on the rise. According to data from the Reserve Bank of India, frauds have cost the country an estimated 100 crore a day over the last seven years. The frauds reported in 2021-22 were 23.69% higher than in the previous year (9,103 cases reported compared there was a decline in the amount involved.
2. Voice Technology
- An emerging technology, it uses the unique characteristics of a person's voice as identification. The technology creates a digital voice print and compares it to a caller's voice.
- Voice authentication can significantly improve security over knowledge-based authentication methods, which fraudsters have exploited to scam people.
- One way to reduce losses is by adopting Voice Technology( VT), which encompasses voice biometrics or voice/speech recognition technology.
- The global adoption of smartphones has led to a dramatic increase in biometrics for security. However, these methods are cumbersome, not entirely secure, and vulnerable to deep fakes.
- With banks and establishments looking for ways to reduce fraud and identity theft risks, one of the best ways to do this is through the use of voice biometrics.
- Compared to other biometrics, voice use is the cheapest technology, and does not require a reader or special device. It is also non-invasive, and portable and affords remote identification.
- Banks have traditionally relied on the use of passwords, passwords are the weakest link in security (81% of hacking-related breaches involve weak passwords).
- Unlike a password, a customer's voice is impossible to spoof or copy and is far more challenging to hack.
- Voice Technology verifies a caller swiftly in seconds by analyzing the caller's voice and fags suspicious calls.
- Voice Technology allows privacy because it does not require users to reveal personal information.
3. Applications of Voice Technology
Health care- It can provide personalized medicine and x-ray readings. Personal health care assistants can act as life coaches, reminding you to take your pills, exercise, or eat healthier.
Manufacturing- AI can analyze factory IoT data as it streams from connected equipment to forecast expected load and demand using recurrent networks, a specific type of deep learning network used with the sequence of data.
Home automation- It can interact with smart home appliances and run the show. Eg: Marvel comic-based Iron man's virtual assistant Jarvis.
Food ordering- Voice assistant can be used to order food just by voice command. Eg-Many companies have collaborated with Alexa and their website support Alexa like Domino's Pizza hut, Starbucks, etc.
Entertainment-Voice assistant can recognize the command and play music. Ex- Alexa, Siri can play music from streaming services such as Apple Music and Google Play Music from a phone or tablet. Also allows the user to hear updates on supported sports teams.
Messaging and Email- Voice assistants can help in sending text messages and Emails without any need for physical interference. Ex: Messages can be sent from one Alexa application to another as well as Echo devices.
Weather- It can help in controlling indoor temperature depending on the command given. It can also provide weather reports.
Operating appliances- It can help in operating appliances at home like making coffee, switching on/off lights, and also probably parking cars, among others.
Voice biometrics tech is making waves in the world of fraud protection by providing an extra layer of protection for data. Although the technology is not yet perfect, the potential benefits are significant.
While the technology still has a long way to go to deliver super smart assistants, it is clear it's no longer the joke it used to be when it was launched. Moreover, with the rise of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), they will become even more advanced and better at helping their users handle their daily tasks.
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For Prelims: Internet of Things (IoT), Voice Technology, and Artificial intelligence.
For Mains: How does Voice technology work and what are their day-to-day applications? Discuss.
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Source: The Hindu
