Speech Code From IBM to Become Open Source

IBM plans to announce Monday that it will contribute some of its speech-recognition software to two open-source software groups.

The move is a tactical step by IBM to accelerate the development of speech applications and to outmaneuver rivals, especially Microsoft, in a market that is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years with increased use in customer-service call centers, cars and elsewhere. To do this, IBM is again using the strategy of placing some of its proprietary software in open-source projects, making it available for other programmers to improve.

“We’re trying to spur the industry around open standards to get more and more speech application development,” said Steven A. Mills, the senior vice president in charge of IBM’s software business. “Our code contribution is about getting that ecosystem going. If that happens, we think it will bring more business opportunities to IBM.”

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