Productivity

Beyond keyboards and screens

Reconnecting with Bram led to a bold experiment: writing this entirely by voice. Here’s why the future of work may no longer need keyboards or screens.

Rob Hoeijmakers

12 Dec 2024 — 4 min read

Two worlds.

A few weeks ago, I reconnected with Bram Donkers, a UX expert I had met over 20 years ago. We crossed paths again at an AI conference, where we discovered a shared interest in how large language models (LLMs) and AI are transforming human interaction with technology.

That reconnection sparked a conversation that led to this experiment: writing an article entirely through dictation, embracing the idea of a future without keyboards or screens.

Voice as a Natural Interaction Medium

For decades, keyboards and screens have dominated digital workflows. However, as Bram and I discussed, voice represents a more intuitive and human-centered interaction method.

It removes the friction of typing, allowing ideas to flow naturally. Speaking feels unencumbered by the mechanics of traditional input methods, enabling professionals to focus on substance rather than form.

Two Distinct Workflows

Voice workflows can be broadly divided into two approaches, each catering to specific needs:

Directive Workflow: Dictation works best for well-defined tasks or topics where the structure is clear. Professionals can efficiently capture ideas, instructions, or drafts without breaking focus.
Exploratory Workflow: For brainstorming or tackling open-ended questions, engaging in dialogue—with an LLM or a peer—is more effective. These conversational workflows help uncover new perspectives and refine thoughts. While exploratory voice interaction has significant potential, it often requires active focus, which limits multitasking capabilities.

Efficiency Gains

Voice-first workflows offer several advantages for online professionals:

Speed: Speaking is often faster than typing, making voice an efficient way to capture thoughts and complete tasks.
Flexibility: Voice interaction liberates professionals from screens, allowing them to dictate while walking or multitasking, provided they maintain clarity and focus.

Voice and Conversational UX

Voice interfaces excel in exploratory workflows, fostering creativity and dynamic problem-solving. Conversational UX—a design approach that prioritises natural, human-like interactions—enables users to:

Engage in Socratic dialogues with AI tools.
Iterate on ideas in real time.
Receive adaptive, meaningful feedback.

This interactive design not only enhances productivity but also creates a more enjoyable and immersive user experience.

Challenges of Voice-First Interfaces

Despite its benefits, voice technology poses challenges that must be addressed for broader adoption by online professionals:

Speed and Comprehension

Listening vs. Reading: Consuming information through voice is slower than scanning text, making it less practical for quick information intake.
Dictation Skills: Effective voice input requires practice in pacing, clarity, and incorporating punctuation naturally.

Privacy Concern

Cloud-based voice processing raises questions about data ownership and security.
Local-first solutions are crucial for ensuring privacy, particularly for sensitive information in professional contexts.

Interface Fragmentation

The current landscape of voice input tools—spanning operating systems, apps, and third-party platforms—creates inconsistency and confusion. Unified systems are needed to streamline the experience.

The Path Forward: Improving Voice Interfaces

Our discussion identified several key areas for improvement in voice-first technology:

1. Unified Voice Capture

A centralised, OS-level voice capture feature could simplify workflows. By processing voice locally and directing transcripts to preferred tools, professionals can avoid the fragmentation of current systems.

2. Personalisation and Flexibility

Voice interfaces should adapt to individual needs. Customisable settings for tone, speed, and tool integration would enhance usability and efficiency.

3. Ethical Design

Developers must prioritise transparency and control in voice data processing. Local-first options and clear user controls build trust, especially for applications handling sensitive information, such as healthcare or confidential business contexts.

Vision technology.

The Future of Voice for Online Professionals

As voice technology matures, it has the potential to revolutionise workflows for online professionals. By eliminating the need for keyboards and screens, voice-first workflows can enhance creativity, efficiency, and accessibility. However, success depends on addressing critical challenges such as privacy, interface fragmentation, and user adaptation.

Reconnecting with Bram reaffirmed the transformative potential of voice technology. For professionals like us, adopting voice is not merely about embracing a new tool—it’s about rethinking how we engage with technology to align with our natural ways of thinking and communicating.

Bram and I really hit it off, and we decided to continue our conversations with a focus on healthcare-specific environments. Stay tuned for more insights as we explore the possibilities in this critical domain. The shift to voice is already underway.

Are you ready to speak your future into existence? Stay tuned.