What is Speech-to-Text (STT)?
Quick Definition
Speech-to-text is technology that converts spoken language into written text in real time. It powers call transcription, voice search, and AI receptionist comprehension.
Speech-to-Text (STT) explained
Speech-to-text (STT), also called automatic speech recognition (ASR) or voice-to-text, is technology that converts spoken language into written text. Modern STT systems use deep learning neural networks to achieve accuracy rates above 95%, even with diverse accents, background noise, and industry-specific terminology. In AI receptionist systems, speech-to-text is the first step in understanding what a caller says: the caller's speech is converted to text, which is then analyzed by natural language processing (NLP) to determine intent and generate an appropriate response. STT also powers call transcription — creating written records of every phone call for review, compliance, and training purposes. Leading STT providers include Google Cloud Speech-to-Text, Amazon Transcribe, Microsoft Azure Speech, OpenAI Whisper, and Deepgram. For businesses, STT-powered transcription eliminates the need to listen to voicemails, provides searchable call records, and enables AI to process and respond to human speech in real time.
Where is speech-to-text (stt) used?
AI receptionists, call transcription, voice assistants, dictation software.
Related terms
NLP (Natural Language Processing)
NLP is a branch of artificial intelligence that enables computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. It powers AI receptionists, chatbots, and voice assistants.
Conversational AI
Conversational AI is technology that enables machines to understand, process, and respond to human language in natural, human-like dialogue. It powers chatbots, voice assistants, and AI receptionists.
AI Receptionist
An AI receptionist is software that answers business phone calls using conversational artificial intelligence. It greets callers, answers questions, books appointments, takes messages, and transfers calls without human involvement.
Want to see speech-to-text (stt) in action?
AIRA is an AI receptionist that answers your business calls 24/7.