In today’s fast-paced digital world, accessibility for all is a fundamental principle that should never be compromised. At St Andrews Taxis, we take this principle to heart, striving to ensure that our services and website are as inclusive as possible. To further this mission, we’ve adopted advanced AI technology on our website, allowing us to convert text into high-quality audio files. In this article, we delve into the technology behind this innovation, known as SSML, and how it harnesses the power of artificial intelligence.
The Genesis of SSML
Speech Synthesis Markup Language, or SSML, may seem like a term straight out of a sci-fi novel, but it’s a crucial element in making our website more accessible. SSML is a standard that enables fine-tuning of speech synthesis for each article on our website. It provides the ability to pause, control intonation, read numbers, and even handle telephones in a manner that sounds natural to human ears.
SSML has been on a journey of continuous improvement, and its roots are deeply entwined with the advancement of artificial intelligence. It’s worth noting that AI has played a pivotal role in bringing SSML to the forefront of accessibility technology.
The Role of AI in SSML
At the heart of our accessibility initiative lies AI, specifically the robust neural networks developed by Google, such as WaveNet and Neural2. These cutting-edge technologies enable SSML to produce high-fidelity audio that mimics human speech with remarkable accuracy.
WaveNet, for instance, employs deep learning techniques to generate raw audio waveforms. It learns from vast amounts of voice data, making it possible for SSML to offer more than 340 voices across 52+ languages and variants. This diversity ensures that our website caters to a global audience with varying language preferences.
Moreover, SSML isn’t limited to a single voice or language within an article. It allows seamless transitions between voices and languages, enhancing the overall user experience. This capability is especially important for a service like St Andrews Taxis, where we serve a diverse clientele.
The Impact on Accessibility
The adoption of AI-driven technology ensures that our website remains reliable and fast, regardless of a user’s location. This global accessibility is vital for our customers, whether they are students, golfers, tourists, residents, or more affluent clients.
We firmly believe that everyone deserves equal access to our services, and SSML and AI have become valuable tools in making this vision a reality. Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re leveraging technology to enhance your experience with St Andrews Taxis.
