Automated learning for speech-based applications

A computer-based speech recognition system, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory device storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to perform the acts comprising:
• processing a speech utterance to identify a first task for the speech utterance, the processing using a set of internal representations for the computer-based speech recognition system, the set of internal representations comprising one or more parameters for recognizing speech;
• performing the first task that is identified for the speech utterance;
• providing the speech utterance to a human and refraining from providing information to the human that identifies the first task;
• receiving input from the human that identifies a second task for the speech utterance;
• comparing the first task identified by the computer-based speech recognition system to the second task identified by the human;
• and
• modifying the set of internal representations of the computer-based speech recognition system in an event that the comparison indicates that the first task differs from the second task.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform the acts comprising:

• processing a speech utterance to identify a first task for the speech utterance, the processing using a set of internal representations, the set of internal representations comprising one or more parameters for recognizing speech;
• performing the first task that is identified for the speech utterance;
• outputting the speech utterance to a human;
• after outputting the speech utterance to the human, receiving input from the human that identifies a second task for the speech utterance;
• comparing the first task to the second task identified by the human;
• and
• modifying the set of internal representations in an event that the comparison indicates that the first task differs from the second task.