Today, it's no longer unusual to see humanities graduates building successful careers in technology. But two decades ago, it was a very different story. Few people studying linguistics imagined they would one day work in speech recognition or artificial intelligence.

For Hyongsil Cho, founder of SiLnD (Speech into Language and Data), a Netherlands-based company focused on AI consulting and Euro-Korean R&D&I collaboration, technology was never the original destination. What began as a fascination with human language eventually evolved into a career dedicated to helping people communicate through AI.

"What fascinated me was the diversity of languages and the distinct sounds they each have"

Her academic journey began in French language and literature. From an early age, she loved learning foreign languages, but she found herself even more intrigued by the sounds behind them, how people produce speech sounds and how language works with it.

As her curiosity grew, so did her academic interests, leading her into linguistics and especially phonetics. Looking back, she says her motivation was never simply to  master another language.

"What I really wanted was to contribute to communication between people."

In the 1990s, speech synthesis and speech recognition technologies were advancing rapidly. Around the same time, she realized that using computers to recreate human language combined everything she cared about most.

Although she was studying in the humanities, she attended computer science classes, joined technical study groups, and took every opportunity to explore the intersection of language and technology. She also contributed to one of Korea's early electronic dictionary projects, gaining firsthand experience applying linguistic knowledge to emerging technologies.

From Linguistics to Microsoft

During her PhD studies in France, she gained her first industry experience at Scansoft, a world leading speech technology company in Belgium, where she worked on a Korean speech synthesis project.

A new opportunity came in 2008 when Microsoft established its European Language Development Center. Based in Portugal, she first worked on Korean and French speech synthesis and speech recognition projects before being promoted   to manager, responsible for leading the localization of Microsoft products across more than twenty languages.

Today, she runs SiLnD in the Netherlands, providing expert knowledge in AI technology and policy while supporting research and innovation partnerships between Europe and Korea. Much of her work now focuses on connecting people, technologies, and organizations across borders.

Q. As someone who studied linguistics, what skills have been most important in building a career in tech?

Rather than technical expertise alone, she points to adaptability.

"When you move into a field different from what you originally studied, the most important skill is being able to apply your knowledge in a practical way."

Technology today is built through collaboration. Engineers, linguists, designers, and researchers all contribute different perspectives. For that reason, she believes one of the most valuable qualities is respecting other people's expertise.

"Something that seems completely obvious to you may be entirely unfamiliar to someone else."

At the same time, she stresses the importance of developing deep expertise in your own field.

"You need to build knowledge that makes people say, 'This is something only you can do.' Along with that, you need the openness to learn from people in completely different disciplines."

"Girls shouldn't feel that liking science is unusual."

When asked about women in technology, she shared a memory from elementary school. She wanted to join the science club, and she discovered she was the only girl. Her teacher simply moved her  to the creative writing club,  thinking it would be a more comfortable place for her. At the time, she accepted the decision without much thought. Looking back, however, she realizes that stereotypes like these can shape children's choices long before they begin thinking seriously about their careers. 

She remembers similar experiences in high school, where girls interested in science often encountered stereotypes about which academic path they should follow. Rather than focusing only on policies or funding, she believes lasting change begins with culture.

"We need a society where no one thinks it is unusual for anyone to be interested in  any field."

Q. Have you experienced challenges as a woman working in technology?

"Personally, I never felt I was treated differently because I was a woman. I think it was simply because I was doing work that very few people could do. ."
At the same time, serving as president of the Euro-Korean Women Scientists and Engineers Association (EKWSEA) has given her a broader perspective. Listening to the experiences of members of the association has shown her that invisible barriers still exist, even if they don't affect everyone in the same way.
Today, she continues to support networking, mentoring, and collaboration opportunities for Korean women scientists and engineers across Europe.

What makes the work meaningful?

For her, the most rewarding moments come when technology genuinely improves people's lives. Speech technology can give a voice to people who cannot speak. It can also make information more accessible to those who struggle to communicate or understand complex information.

"The greatest reward is knowing that, even in a small way, I've helped people communicate more easily and made someone's life a little better."

She finds similar satisfaction in connecting researchers and organizations. Helping Korean and European partners discover opportunities to collaborate reminds her that meaningful innovation often begins with bringing the right people together.

Finding Balance

When asked how she balances work and family, she laughs. "Honestly, I don't think I've mastered work-life balance." Still, she believes living in the Netherlands has made a difference.

She and her husband had a simple rule: if one of them traveled for work, the other took care of their child. It wasn't considered a favor or an exception - it was simply part of sharing responsibilities. She believes that kind of culture makes it easier for women to continue building long-term careers.

"You don't have to spend your life digging just one well."

Toward the end of the interview, she reflected on her own career. Some people devote themselves to mastering a single field. Others, like her, naturally move across different disciplines. Her journey has taken her from linguistics to AI and from technology to international collaboration. At first glance, those may seem like very different careers.

But to her, they've always been connected by a single purpose: helping people connect with one another.

A Final Message

"Try as many different things as you can. Once you discover the work you genuinely enjoy, don't hesitate, keep moving forward."
There is no single blueprint for building a meaningful career. Some people go deep in one field. Others build bridges between many. What matters most is finding your own path and having the courage to follow it.