Natural Language Processing (NLP) helps millions of people do some of the most common tasks, even without even knowing they’re using it. Spell check, predictive text, text-to-voice and vice versa, auto-replies and spam filters all use NLP to code, sift and sort through digital written material and automate these functions.

NLP far exceeds humans in the sheer volume of language and data that it can process. In more specific cases, NLP helps websites and other service providers adapt their site for people with disabilities. Furthermore, security companies can identify potentially sensitive data and alert you if you happen to be providing such information in an unsecured forum.

Livox is an app that helps people with disabilities communicate in more than 25 languages

SignAll converts American sign language into text and allows individuals in the deaf community converse with those who cannot understand sign language.

Google Translate’s machine translation overcomes barriers in communication around the world by automating the translation of technical manuals and catalogs written in a foreign language.

One of the still-emerging uses of NLP is in police work. The technology can help identify, analyse and interpret all kinds of text to determine to mean based on algorithms rather than human understanding and intuition.

There are hundreds of companies that provide NLP services directly or as part of another function. Around the world, both established companies and startup use this technology to deliver quality services. Organisations such as Folio3, are leaders in this field with strategic partnerships all over the world. For a more broad overview,