Can RAG be combined with speech recognition

Yes, RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) can be effectively combined with speech recognition technology. The integration typically involves using automated speech recognition (ASR) to convert spoken input into text, which then feeds into the RAG system.

Integrating RAG with ASR requires careful attention to speech recognition accuracy, as errors can propagate and degrade RAG performance. The system design determines the sequence, such as ASR directly feeding RAG for query processing or RAG generating speech prompts. Latency is a critical factor for real-time voice interactions. Considerations include speaker variability, accents, background noise, and data privacy for voice recordings.

This combination enables powerful voice-enabled applications. Examples include conversational agents that answer spoken questions using retrieved documents, voice assistants providing up-to-date factual responses beyond predefined rules, and systems analyzing spoken customer support calls to retrieve relevant solutions. It enhances accessibility and provides more natural, information-rich spoken interactions, often seen in advanced customer service bots and virtual agents.