A text summarisation service, previously only available online, is being launched as a new desktop software package.
15 November 2001
ViewSum can reduce reams of text into a few sentences and is particularly popular with busy executives needing to assimilate lengthy reports, according to its producers BTexact Technologies, BTs’ advanced research and technology business.
ViewSum uses artificial intelligence to skim any piece of text to identify what it considers to be the ‘essence’ of the article. It can be loaded onto desktops and laptops in a matter of minutes.
According to BTexact’s researchers, ViewSum can reduce a report to 25 per cent of its original length whilst retaining 70 per cent of the essential information.
Users can choose to have abridgements indicated on the original text or to receive a separate executive summary.
They can also use their own key words to pinpoint items of particular interest.
Put to the test on Churchill’s 3,414-word ‘We Shall Defend Our Island’ speech ViewSum produced just 53 words: “I have myself full confidence that if all do their duty and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our island home, ride out the storms of war, outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary, for years, if necessary, alone.”
Stewart Davies said: “In today’s society people are faced with a considerable amount of information overload. ViewSum will enable users to assimilate the data they require without having to wade through reams of reports and articles.”
The system works best on factual reports with a single theme. However, it can also work on narrative and fictional reports.
www.viewsum.com

Comments
Post new comment