EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc. of our report dated March 29, 1996 except for Note 3, as to which the date is May 9, 1996 with respect to the balance sheet at January 31, 1996 and the related statements of operation, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended January 31, 1996 and 1995 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc. for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Ernst & Young LLP Boston, Massachusetts April 30, 1997 II-8