The Fundamentals
of Speech Technology
Designing Scalable Voice Experiences
with Nuance Mix
Voice UX Design
Dialog & NLU Modeling
Conversational AI Education
Public Speaking
Workshop Facilitator
My role:
Presenter + Curriculum Designer + Workshop Facilitator
Tools:
Nuance Mix, Keynote, Figma
I co-hosted and delivered a hands-on workshop for the U.S. and European Nuance Auto Forums focused on the fundamentals of speech technology. Using a voice-controlled HVAC assistant as a practical example, I guided participants through designing real-world voice experiences using NLU and Dialog tools in Nuance Mix.
To support the session, I created all presentation content and instructional materials—equipping attendees with both foundational concepts and practical application.
Auto Forum US & EU
Why It Mattered
As voice interfaces become deeply embedded in product ecosystems, many teams still lack clarity on how Natural Language Understanding (NLU) and Dialog design work together in real-world applications.
This workshop was designed to close that gap—empowering designers, developers, and product managers with foundational knowledge of speech technology through an engaging, hands-on experience. The goal was to make conversational AI more accessible, scalable, and design-driven.
Learning Journey
Conference Presentation
I opened with a talk on the fundamentals of speech technology, introducing core concepts of NLU and Dialog design within Nuance Mix. Using the HVAC voice assistant as a working example, I covered foundational principles such as use case development, intent and concept modeling, and decision logic. This session set the stage for the workshop and supporting materials.
Interactive Workshop
Following the presentation, I co-led a workshop where participants created their own voice models. Through guided exercises, they learned how to structure intents, define concepts, and build dialog flows using real-world examples.
Post-Event Video Series
To reinforce learning, I created a three-part video series capturing the core principles:
Part 1: Use Cases – Identifying user needs and aligning them to NLU and Dialog requirements
Part 2: Structure – Connecting intents, concepts, and data to define the system’s logic
Part 3: Decision Tables – Designing structured responses to handle dynamic conditions
What I Delivered
I led the end-to-end creation and delivery of a cross-regional educational initiative, including:
Presentation & Workshop Design
Designed and delivered the full educational experience (presentation + workshop)
Educational Content Creation
Scripted, produced, and narrated a supporting video series
Systems Thinking to Practice
Translated technical speech design concepts into actionable design frameworks
Scalable Learning Impact
Enabled scalable internal learning and external client enablement
Teaching Principles
Accessible:
Breaking down complex topics into plain language
Actionable:
Equipping participants with practical application skills
System-Oriented:
Framing concepts within real-world conversational system design
User-Driven:
Always focusing on real user needs and journeys
Scalable:
Creating reusable learning materials for broader reach
When teams understand how voice systems work, they build better experiences—for users and for products.
Supporting Video Series
A Post-Event Resource for Continued Learning
The video series extended the impact of the workshop, offering a scalable learning resource for internal teams and external clients.
Centered around the HVAC voice assistant example, the videos walk through:
NLU
Dialog
Identifying user scenarios to structure NLU and Dialog design.
Defining dynamic system responses based on variables and user context.
Dialog & Decision Table Video
Defining dynamic system responses based on variables and user context.
Impact
Lasting Impact Through Education and Design
These outcomes reflect how the workshop delivered meaningful results across teams, tools, and regions.
Global Reach
Delivered to global audiences at the U.S. and European Nuance Auto Forums
Hands-On Enablement
Empowered teams to understand and build functional NLU and Dialog models
Scalable Learning Assets
Created repeatable training resources used across internal teams and client engagements
Design-Led Influence
Positioned design as a central force in conversational AI education