NLP

What Does NLP Mean?

The Quick Answer

NLP means "Natural Language Processing" and "Neuro-Linguistic Programming."

Natural Language Processing

TL;DR: Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a technology that helps computers understand and respond to human language. It's used in things like translation services, chatbots, and voice assistants to make communication with machines more natural and effective. More Details: NLP is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on the interaction between computers and humans through natural language. The ultimate objective of NLP is to enable computers to understand, interpret, and generate human languages in a valuable way. NLP encompasses tasks such as language modeling, parsing, sentiment analysis, machine translation, and speech recognition. It is used in various applications like chatbots, translation services, and sentiment analysis tools. NLP requires deep understanding of both the structure of language and the computational tools needed to process it. Advances in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) have significantly expanded the capabilities and applications of NLP. Check out our comprehensive glossary of AI terms.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

TL;DR: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a method that tries to improve communication and personal development by connecting brain processes, language, and behavior. Though used by some for self-help, it lacks strong scientific support and evidence. More Details: NLP is a psychological approach that involves understanding how people think and experience the world, aiming to improve communication, personal development, and psychotherapy. NLP emphasizes the connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns that have been learned through experience. It posits that people can change these connections to achieve specific goals in life. While some individuals find value in using NLP techniques for personal development or in therapeutic settings, it's worth noting that scientific support for NLP in the psychological community is limited. Many researchers and clinicians argue that NLP lacks empirical evidence and a theoretical foundation.

Image for NLP

When I write NLP, I mean this:

"Natural Language Processing"

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Natural Language Processing" is, by far, the most common meaning for NLP when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)