The Heart of the Matter: Natural-Language Programming

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Superseding the keyboard
Using natural-language triggers, not "languages" of keyboard symbols
Creating intuitively responsive computer technology
Humanizing the flow of information technology
Making computers more an extension of human thinking
Thinking "on the screen" and "behind" the screen
Combining voice technology with computer commands to the screen
Minimizing the learning curve for new users
Redefining "artificial intellingence"

Note: theExact Word^Ž seeks partners in this venture. The baseline is completed; products are not.

What Good Can Natural-Language Programming Do the Industry?

If you talk to a programmer about natural-language programming, ask how the programming field would "feel" about such an innovation as natural-language programming would be. On many occasion, when asked by us, programmers say "That would be the Holy Grail!!

Natural-language programming has more than one definition, including programming entirely with a human language. Definitions also include creatinga human-language interface for current programming languages based on symbols.

Programmers can sense a language architecture somewhere "out there." Finding it would catapult the user to new horizons and vast possibilities.

theExact Word^Ž team feels just that kind of excitement.

What, for Example, Could Happen?

Just imagine: computers could "talk" to each other with computer-language "bridges" between codes; or:

-ordinary people could use English as a means to program for themselves;

-the public not yet computer-literate could morequickly overcome reluctance to

use technology;

-technology could easily become an intuitive, natural process;

-during day-to-day work, people could talk to their computer screens, see their thoughts on the screen, edit by speaking to change context and explore new ideas;

-teleconferencing could become voice-activated to the screen; screens could divide conversations into context screens;

-personal communicators could portray speech in context patterns; screens could allow users to "visualize" conversation;

-"disability software" could "marry" with screen and voice technology to close gaps between the hearing- and visibility-challenged and the public at large;

-personal style could stay at the forefront of communication "pictures" as style and context present ideas on the screen (If, for example, I think with the "big picture" and adapt for a co-worker to a more "detailed" point-of-view, I can maintain the integrity of my natural perspective while I change my "delivery" to one that my colleague can better hear.);

-context patterns could help everyone communicate better by visualizing and picturing idea-flow as one person speaks to another, or as individuals converse.

How Would "Artificial Intelligence" Change?

Currently, artificial intelligence in the field largely means "expert systems." An expert system, loosely, means that a "script" has designed responses to "walk" the user through a set of "either/or" limited responses.

Theoretically, in the literature, "artificial intelligence" has multiple meanings, including "top-down," "bottom-up," or other replications of the thought process.

In particular, some proponents of "artificial intelligence" would hope to see computers learn to "think" by drawing inferences. A key question: does the user want inferences drawn? Or, does the user want the possibilities for inferences or a conclusion? A set of facts might not have only one conclusion. Therefore, a set of inferences offers the user perspectives and directions which might not otherwise have presented themselves. theExact Word^Ž can offer, with further development, sets of inferences for the user to consider or choose.

In What Ways Can the Work Place Use "Artificial Intelligence" Now?

In one respect, "artificial intelligence" might mean seeing another side of a question in ways that our own individual styles might not suggest to us.

theExact Word's^Ž software, WordPrint^Ž already offers that option.

Important to add: do not see alternate points-of-view as a negative. Seeing another point of view does not suggest anyone’s inadequacy in thinking or writing. Inherent in the thinking process is how tightly people tend to hold to a particular point-of-view. Think about how much a person "owns" a particular opinion. Objectivity can be hard for anyone; we can feel threatened if someone else asks us to consider a viewpoint that we "know" or "feel" isn’t "right." We can feel forced to "cave in."

Think about the corporate and work place training programs and consultants who have built careers around the communications processes and the importance of gaining multiple points of perspective.

Tom Peters, Peter Drucker, Ken Blanchard, Steven Covey, the Myers-Briggs programs, and many others of very high quality, are household names in the corporate- development arena. Added to these are myriad names of organization-development thinkers, trainers, and leaders who have build the models to "flatten" organizations, to cut the "fat" from management, and who have pioneered teams which can increase communication and productivity.

None of these leaders feel that inherent inadequacy of the work force has caused corporate failure. In fact, the programs which these leading thinkers have brought to the work place enhance and showcase the abilities already existing in the work place. In one sense, the very talent and intellectual capital not fully used in the work place have given rise to new ways to really use such abilities.

theExact Word's^Ž work so far in seminars, consulting, and software development has been to contribute to easily seeing and using multiple points-of-view. Multiple perspectives is a "type" of "artificial intelligence" if you will accept that working definition. theExact Word's^Ž software, WordPrint^Ž and the seminars, the baseline source code, teacher-development, as well as plans to publish, have all contributed to the ability to expand the thinking process to multiple points-of-view.

What Future Forms of Artificial Intelligence Can theExact Word,^Ž Contribute?

At theExact Word,^Ž our discussions have addressed how to provide tools to "draw inference" for future uses and forms of artificial intelligence. The natural context of English in some ways makes that decision easy.

The user can decide from context options.

With future development, theExact Word^Ž can contribute a new approach. This new approach could include the technology to support new uses of the natural thinking process. Also useful might be technological language bridges for individual and group thinking patterns, preferences, strengths, and strategies.

As expansion and opportunities develop with strategic partners, the options will take form. The potential possibilities are very exciting.

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