voice assistants

An intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) or intelligent personal assistant (IPA) is a software agent that can perform tasks or services for an individual based on commands or questions. The term "chatbot" is sometimes used to refer to virtual assistants generally or specifically accessed by online chat. In some cases, online chat programs are exclusively for entertainment purposes. Some virtual assistants are able to interpret human speech and respond via synthesized voices. Users can ask their assistants questions, control home automation devices and media playback via voice, and manage other basic tasks such as email, to-do lists, and calendars with verbal (spoken?) commands.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Amazon’s Alexa+ Voice Assistant Draws 100,000 Users as Rollout Continues
Amazon’s Alexa+ Voice Assistant Draws 100,000 Users as Rollout Continues
May 02, 2025  |  Amazon

Amazon has rolled out Alexa+, the new version of its voice assistant, to more than 100,000 users so far, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said Thursday (May 1) during the...

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This Week in AI: Visa, Mastercard and PayPal Go All in on Agentic Commerce
This Week in AI: Visa, Mastercard and PayPal Go All in on Agentic Commerce
May 02, 2025  |  artificial intelligence

This week brings fresh news on the digital payments front, with Visa, Mastercard and PayPal unveiling their agentic commerce programs. Their moves represent a significant...

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63% Adoption Rate Shows GenAI Enthusiasm Among Younger Consumers
63% Adoption Rate Shows GenAI Enthusiasm Among Younger Consumers
April 08, 2025  |  artificial intelligence

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is gaining traction among U.S. consumers across all age groups, according to a new PYMNTS Intelligence report, even as enthusiasm cools...

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Apple’s Siri: Once a Pioneer, Now an AI Laggard
Apple’s Siri: Once a Pioneer, Now an AI Laggard
March 20, 2025  |  Apple

When Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Siri, debuted in 2011, it was revolutionary for giving users the ability to “talk” to their smartphone. Siri’s capabilities...

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Amazon Plans to Release ‘Constellation’ of AI-Powered Devices
Amazon Plans to Release ‘Constellation’ of AI-Powered Devices
March 04, 2025  |  artificial intelligence

After launching a new version of Alexa dubbed Alexa+ last week, Amazon is reportedly preparing to release a “constellation” of devices powered by artificial intelligence...

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Amazon Unveils an Agentic, Smarter and More Capable Alexa+
Amazon Unveils an Agentic, Smarter and More Capable Alexa+
February 26, 2025  |  Alexa

Amazon took the wraps off a revamped Alexa that is infused with generative artificial intelligence (AI) to be more capable, conversational and agentic than the...

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68% of Zillennials Use Voice Technology for Daily Tasks
68% of Zillennials Use Voice Technology for Daily Tasks
February 24, 2025  |  artificial intelligence

Zillennials — those born between 1991 and 1999 — are using voice technology to simplify daily tasks and manage disruptions. This microgeneration uses voice assistants...

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60% of Consumers Use Voice Assistants
60% of Consumers Use Voice Assistants
February 14, 2025  |  artificial intelligence

Younger generations are drawn to the rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology. At the same time, excitement around voice assistants, once heralded as the...

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Stellantis and Mistral AI to Develop AI-Powered In-Car Assistant
Stellantis and Mistral AI to Develop AI-Powered In-Car Assistant
February 07, 2025  |  Partnerships

An AI-powered in-car assistant for drivers is the latest of several initiatives being explored in an expanded partnership between automaker Stellantis and Mistral AI. Get...

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