Using a Speech Language Model That Can Listen While Speaking
Blog post from Stream
Traditional speech language models like Siri and Alexa rely on turn-taking interactions, limiting their ability to handle real-time conversations and interruptions in dynamic environments. However, the introduction of the listening-while-speaking language model (LSLM) marks a significant advancement by integrating full-duplex communication, allowing simultaneous speaking and listening, thereby mimicking natural human conversations. This model can efficiently manage user interruptions, differentiate between human voices and background noise, and adapt to various scenarios, although it faces challenges such as handling high-frequency noise and cybersecurity risks. The LSLM's potential applications are vast, spanning healthcare, real-time collaboration, language learning, and customer service, offering enhanced interactivity and responsiveness compared to traditional models. Despite its advantages, the LSLM currently supports only English, struggles with certain accents, and is limited to predefined voice presets, which may affect personalization and accessibility across different cultures.