You may be familiar with using Siri or Google Assistant. These are examples of AI voice assistants, where you use them to perform tasks such as searching, setting reminders, or calling someone.
However, what can this technology do beyond that? Where can you use it, and how will AI voice assistants change the internet?
The AI voice assistant is an artificial intelligence technology. It allows users to interact with a device by talking. Examples of it include Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung Bixby. AI voice assistants are projected to change how people search for information online, and people can get more individualized results.
This article explores AI voice assistants and what they can do. It will then look at where you can go to access these services and how you can use them in your daily life. Finally, we explore how AI voice assistants will change the internet.
What Is an AI Voice Assistant?
AI voice assistants are artificial intelligence technology utilizing advanced algorithms to understand your voice input and respond accordingly. Examples include Siri and Alexa. AI voice assistants are projected to become more important in our daily lives.
An AI voice assistant is a type of artificial intelligence technology. To use it, you basically provide voice input, usually in your common-speaking language.
These voice assistants then use advanced algorithms such as Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning models to understand your language and respond to you with relevant information, actions, or suggestions.
An example would be you asking the assistant the weather of your location. The AI assistant will then run a search, collect the relevant information, and tell you that your location is sunny now but may rain later in the day.
The most popular examples of AI voice assistants are:
- Siri from Apple
- Alexa from Amazon
- Google Assistant
One of the best things about AI voice assistants is using them without your hands. This can be very helpful in situations such as driving or using tools. Voice assistants can also support disabled persons since only the voice is needed.
AI voice assistants have become increasingly popular, and many homes now have some devices with built-in voice assistants. AI voice assistants are expected to become more and more prominent in our daily lives moving forward.
What Can an AI Voice Assistant Do?
AI voice assistants can perform various tasks, such as:
- Answering queries
- Making phone calls and sending messages
- Setting reminders and alarms
- Playing audio such as music or podcasts
- Controlling other smart devices
- Providing directions
- Translating
- Purchasing items
AI voice assistants have become very capable in many ways, performing tasks that could be said to be similar to having a personal assistant. These tasks are:
Answering Queries: You can ask the AI assistant a query you would like to answer and get an answer. An example would be to ask, “Can I roast coffee beans on a pan?”
Controlling Other Smart Devices: Suppose your AI voice assistant is part of a smart device ecosystem. If that’s the case, you may be able to order it to control other smart devices. Suppose you are outside and realize you forgot to turn off the air conditioner. You can say, “turn off all the air conditioners at home” to your AI assistant to turn all AC off.
Making Phone Calls And Sending Messages: If you are driving and need to call, you can order your AI Assistant to dial the phone. An example command would be “Call dad now.”
Playing Audio Such As Music Or Podcasts: This feature would work well if you do not have a free hand, such as driving or cooking. Tell your AI assistant to “play the song Take It Easy by Eagles.”
Purchasing Items: If you have made the right settings, your AI assistants may be able to help you purchase and order things online. For example, you can tell your AI assistants to look for Jack Daniels Whisky on Amazon and order it.
Providing Directions: Tell your AI assistant to provide directions by saying, “Show me the way to the nearest El Pollo Loco.” You may see your Google Maps pop-up with navigation information.
Setting Reminders And Alarms: Rather than fumbling through your phone to set an appointment, order your AI assistant to set it up for you. You can tell your AI assistant, “remind me to meet Steven Johnson for lunch tomorrow at 1pm.”
Suggesting And Recommending: If you are looking for suggestions, you can ask your AI voice assistant. For example, ask your AI assistant to recommend you to “find the best and nearest Mexican restaurants to me.”
Translating: You could also play audio from an unknown language and ask your AI assistant to help translate. An example order would be “Translate this into English (play audio).”
What Are The Popular AI Voice Assistants?
Some popular AI voice assistants include Google Assistant from Google, Siri from Apple, Samsung Bixby, and Alexa from Amazon.
As AI voice assistant technology becomes more popular, more firms are creating their own version. However, not all AI voice assistants are created equal. Some are more general-purpose, and some may be for more specific use.
Amazon Alexa
Alexa is one of the most popular AI voice assistants developed by Amazon. Alexa is available on various devices, such as the Echo smart speakers, and Fire TV.
Some other devices can also work with Alexa, provided you install the Alexa app first. To trigger your Alexa device to listen to your voice input, say “Alexa” to your device.
Apple Siri
Siri is an AI voice assistant developed by Apple, available on all iOS devices and Mac computers. Siri can perform various tasks, such as sending messages, making phone calls, playing music, and providing information on various topics.
The voice comment about turning on Siri is to say ‘Hey Siri,’ and you will notice a colorful orb showing on your device’s screen. This means Siri is now listening to you.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is an AI voice assistant developed by Google. Most Android devices have Google Assistant, such as phones, tablets, and Google Home smart speakers.
Many third-party devices can also run Google Assistant, provided you first install the app. To trigger Google Assistant, say “Hey Google,” and your screen may turn darker in some areas, indicating it is listening to you actively.
Bixby
Bixby is Samsung’s take on how an AI voice assistant should work. It is available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and other Samsung devices such as smart TVs, smartwatches, and more.
Bixby can perform various tasks, such as setting reminders, sending messages, controlling smart home devices, etc.
Where To Start Using an AI Voice Assistant?
You should be able to access some AI voice assistants through your smartphone. You can also purchase smart speakers such as Amazon Alexa to start using AI voice assistants. Most laptops and tablets may also have them. The key is to have access to the internet.
AI voice assistants are quite widely available these days. This is because their creators want people to interact with the assistants as much as possible.
The more input it receives, the more information the machine learning systems can use to improve how these AI voice assistants perform.
The only difference is the type of AI voice assistant you will use and the slight changes you may need to make to use them well.
Smartphones
Generally, almost all smartphones come with some form of AI voice assistant. The more premium the phone, the more likely it allows you to use an AI voice assistant.
Smartphones that run Android may allow you to access Google Assistant, while Apple iPhones will allow you to use Siri.
Tablets and Computers
Most tablets and computers also should allow you to access AI voice assistants. With these devices, however, you may need to update your operating system to a newer version to access AI voice assistants.
This means for older generation tablets and computers, you may not be able to use AI voice assistants.
Smartwatches
Most smartwatches should also allow you to use AI voice assistants. Most smartwatch makers tend to emphasize AI voice assistants in smartwatches to improve usability. This is because smartwatch screens are small.
Most smartwatches allow you to access Google Assistant, with Apple Watches allowing you to access Siri. You can also use Alexa by installing apps on your smartwatch.
Smart Speakers
If you prefer to be able to make AI voice commands at home, you can use a smart speaker. These speakers can take your voice input and respond to you. Depending on the brand of speaker, you may be using Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
How Will AI Voice Assistants Change The Internet?
AI voice assistants are projected to provide more personalized search results and bring in some social interaction in the search process. Different AI voice assistants may integrate deeper into other emerging internet technology, such as virtual reality. AI voice assistants may also reduce traditional searches.
As AI voice assistants continue to develop, they may integrate further into our lives. They may change the way we use the internet. Some of the predicted changes include:
Enhanced Personalization
At this point, AI voice assistants can customize their answers based on how the user has used them before and what they like. As these technologies keep getting better, we can expect to be able to personalize them even more, giving users a more tailored experience.
Increased Social Interaction With AI
AI engineers are actively working on ways to reduce the robot feel of AI assistants. For example, they are working on adding tones and emotions into how the AI assistants speak to make them sound more like humans.
On top of that, engineers are also trying to improve their understanding of AI. This should allow the AI assistants to have a deeper conversation with humans.
Further Integration With Emerging Technology
As AI voice assistants improve further, it is expected to be further integrated with emerging internet technology. For example, Virtual Reality (VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), or Augmented Reality.
For example, you can use AI voice assistants to check with your smart fridges if you need more milk. This would mean an integration between AI voice assistants with IoT.
Reduces Traditional Searches
Finally, as more and more people become more comfortable with using AI assistants to search for information, traditional searches may go down. This means fewer people may go to their computer screens and type their search queries on Google, for example.
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