Voice assistant
A voice assistant or virtual assistant is a program that performs tasks based on audible commands or questions.
A voice assistant or virtual assistant is a program that performs tasks based on audible commands or questions. They are so ubiquitous that it’s difficult to imagine a time when we lived without this technology. Still, in reality, it is a relatively recent phenomenon.
While the voice assistant’s roots date back decades, it wasn’t until Apple introduced Siri in 2011 that the average person experienced the technology firsthand. Today, we don’t even think twice before asking our phone or smart speaker to make a call, tell us the weather, give us a traffic report, or find a good recipe for twice baked potatoes.
While there is some controversy surrounding the privacy concerns of this tool, we yield for this handsfree convenience without considering the outcomes. As its market continues to grow, people are becoming more and more reliant on these virtual assistants.
Automakers recognize their customers’ growing dependence on this technology and are incorporating it into their vehicles. Many are familiar with OnStar, which gives a car the ability to call when an accident occurs, as well as other basic functions. However, the voice assistants built into vehicles today are modeled after and can do just about anything a smart speaker in your home can do.
That said, according to research conducted by Voicebot.ai, drivers are most interested in utility—making calls, asking for directions, and sending texts. Still, a few people are also using their car’s voice assistant to find a particular genre of music, ask about restaurants, and even place an order for pick-up.
Voice assistants could even have a place in business. These virtual assistants, driven by AI, could assist with recruiting and vetting potential new hires. The virtual assistant would schedule initial candidate screenings and then ask a few simple questions. Those with appropriate answers could be moved along to the next stage in the interview process.
