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Have you ever typed a message and watched autocorrect fix a misspelled word before you hit send? What about using a translation app while traveling abroad? OrÌýwatchingÌýa YouTube video with automatically generated captions? These everyday experiences are powered by natural language processing (NLP),Ìýa branch of artificial intelligence that helps computers understand and respond to human language.

From email and search engines to customer support tools and accessibility features, NLP playsÌýa large roleÌýin how we communicate, work, and interact with technology. As organizations increasingly rely on AI-driven systems, understanding NLP has become essential for professionals across information technology, data analytics, software development, andÌýrelatedÌýfields.

Read on to learn more about natural language processing and several of its real-world applications.

What Is Natural Language Processing?

Natural language processing is a field of artificial intelligence that enables computers to analyze, interpret, and generate human language. Using machine learning and large data sets, NLP focuses on understanding how people naturally communicate, accounting forÌýparts of speech,Ìýcontext, tone, and nuance rather than rigid grammatical rules.Ìý

NLP supports many forms of digital communication, including email, online chat, messaging platforms, social media, search engines, and voice-enabled tools. Because it allows technology to interact with people in more intuitive and human-like ways, NLP is now a foundationalÌýcomponentÌýof modern IT systems.

As NLP continues to evolve and integrate into everyday technologies,Ìýit’sÌýbecoming an increasingly important skill area for anyone looking to pursue or advance in a technology-focused role.

How Does NLP Combine Key AI Elements?

NLP brings together three core elements of artificial intelligence:

• Computational linguistics, which provides language rules and structure
• Machine learning, which enables systems to learn patterns from data
• Deep learning, which allows models to process large volumes of text and improve accuracy over time

Combined, these elements help systems understand intent, context, and meaning in human communication.

How Does Natural Language Processing Work?

AtÌýa high level, NLP systems follow a multi-step process:

1. Text preprocessing, such as tokenization and normalization
2. Language understanding, where models analyze grammar, syntax, and semantics
3. Context and intent recognition, using trained algorithms
4. Output generation, including predictions, responses, summaries, or classificationsÌý

Modern NLP systems often rely on neural networks and large language models (LLMs) to improve performance and adapt over time.

Examples of Natural Language Processing

NLPÌýis embedded in many of the tools and platforms people useÌýeveryÌýday. Below are 12 common and impactful applicationsÌýofÌýnatural language processing.

1. Autocorrect and Spell-Check

NLP powers spell-check and grammar tools in applications like Microsoft Word, email platforms, and writing assistants such as Grammarly.ÌýThese tools analyze context in addition to individual words in order to suggest corrections and improve clarity, helping users communicate more effectively.Ìý

2. Text Classification

Text classification allows systems to automatically categorize large volumes of text.ÌýIt’sÌýcommonly used in survey analysis, spam filtering, topic labeling, genre classification, and language detection. Text classification can save organizationsÌýsignificant timeÌýcompared to manual review.

3. Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment analysis helpsÌýidentifyÌýemotions or opinions expressed in text, often through word embedding. Businesses useÌýsentiment analysisÌýto evaluate customer feedback,ÌýmonitorÌýbrandÌýperceptionÌýon social media, and detect positive or negative trends in user communications, especially when toneÌýisn’tÌýimmediatelyÌýobvious.

4. Question Answering

Customer support chatbots and virtual assistants rely on NLP-driven question-answering systems. TheseÌýspeech recognitionÌýtools interpret user questions, retrieve relevant information, and provide responses. This way,Ìýchatbots and otherÌýquestion-answering platforms can learn from each interaction to improve accuracy over time.

5. Caption Generation

Caption generation creates text descriptions for audio and visual content—think video captions and image descriptions. This application improves accessibility for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired, supporting inclusive digital experiences.Ìý

6. Text Extraction

Text extractionÌý(along with named-entity recognition)ÌýidentifiesÌýspecific information—names, dates, serial numbers, or keywords—from unstructured text. Organizations typically use text extraction to route support tickets, analyze customer communications, and aggregate data more efficiently.

7. Text Prediction

Predictive text suggests words or phrases as you type, whether in emails, search bars, or messaging apps. NLP models learn from user behavior and language patterns toÌýanticipateÌýwhatÌýyou’reÌýlikely to write next, improving speed and accuracy.

8. Machine Translation

Machine translation converts text from one language to another using NLP-poweredÌýlargeÌýlanguageÌýmodels. Tools like Google Translate haveÌýadvanced significantlyÌýthanks to neural networks and large data sets, making translation moreÌýaccurateÌýand accessible for global communication.

9. Text SummarizationÌý

Text summarization condenses large volumes of content into shorter, digestible summaries. One common example of this is Google’s AI Overview generated at the top of its search results pages. There are two kinds of text summarization:

• Extractive summarizationÌýpulls key phrases directly from the text.
• Abstractive summarizationÌýparaphrases content to convey meaning more succinctly and naturally.
  

This is especially useful for long or complex news articles, research papers, and legal documents.

10. Market IntelligenceÌý

NLP supports market intelligence by analyzing unstructured data such as reviews, social media posts, and competitor content. Marketers can use the resulting insights toÌýidentifyÌýtrends, refine messaging, and better understand consumer behavior.Ìý

11. Intent Classification

Intent classificationÌýdeterminesÌýwhat a user is trying toÌýaccomplishÌýthrough their communication, whether it involves making a purchase, requesting help, or expressing dissatisfaction. This capability helps businesses improve customer experiences and target outreach more effectively.

12. Urgency Detection

Urgency detectionÌýidentifiesÌýlanguage that signals immediate need or concern. IT service desks and support teams use this NLPÌýtaskÌýto prioritize requests, ensuring that critical issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.

Learn More With WGU

These examples are just the beginning of how natural language processing is shaping the way we communicate, work, and interact with technology. NLPÌýdoesn’tÌýjust support digital conversations;Ìýit’sÌýbecoming a cornerstone of modern IT systems across industries.

WhetherÌýyou’reÌýexploring aÌýcareer in ITÌýor looking to build advanced skills in AI and data-driven technologies, WGU offers severalÌýonline IT degree programsÌýdesigned to fit your life and career goals.

Learn more about your options and take the next step toward the future of technology.