Virtual Assistant news and trends

The Big GenAI Time and Money Shift
artificial intelligence // January 13, 2025

The average consumer spends about 3 seconds when opening an app on their smartphone. Most open 10 different apps a day. Over the course of a year, the time people spend just opening apps, not engaging with them, adds up to nearly half a typical...

Google Begins Adding AI Assistant Gemini to Gmail
Google // June 25, 2024

Google is adding its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Gemini, to the side panel of Gmail. The rollout of this feature on both web and mobile began Monday (June 24), the company said in a Monday blog post. The AI assistant will be available to Google Workspace...

How a 30-Year-Old Prescription Management Platform Is Creating the Pharmacy of the Future
Healthcare // June 11, 2024

When the person at the counter asks, “Do you have any questions for the pharmacist?” it’s hard for the consumer to respond. After all, there are probably several anxious people waiting in line. And it may be that they will have questions later, after they’ve...

Connected Fitness: Whoop Brings AI-Driven Virtual Coaching Into Wearables Category
artificial intelligence // February 05, 2024

This year, the connected wearables market will account for more than 504 million units, ranging from smartwatches to fitness trackers to earwear, according to market intelligence firm IDC. Looking to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into a more active role in the category is Whoop, a fitness tracking...

Interviews & Exclusives
How a 30-Year-Old Prescription Management Platform Is Creating the Pharmacy of the Future

June 11, 2024
When the person at the counter asks, “Do you have any questions for the pharmacist?” it’s hard for the consumer to respond. After all, there are probably several anxious people waiting in line. And it may be that they will have questions later, after they’ve digested the side effects, interaction warnings and other information stapled […]

Connected Fitness: Whoop Brings AI-Driven Virtual Coaching Into Wearables Category

February 05, 2024
This year, the connected wearables market will account for more than 504 million units, ranging from smartwatches to fitness trackers to earwear, according to market intelligence firm IDC. Looking to bring...

Why Context Makes Virtual Assistants Smart Digital Bankers

October 30, 2018
AI and ML-powered services can help fight banking fraud. However, to layer the tech into viable solutions to assist customers with banking, robo-advisors need to truly become “smart,” intuitive —...

TRENDING: Allstate’s AI-Assisted Approach To Disaster Relief

September 21, 2018
Governments may not be known for keeping up with cutting-edge technology, but that doesn’t mean they don’t take note of the trends — especially when it comes to tools for...

Quick Reads
Apple to Tap User Data for LLM Training

April 14, 2025
Apple is planning to analyze user data to improve its large language model (LLM) software while upholding user privacy. The company has been using synthetic data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models but has found that method to be ineffective, Apple wrote in a Monday (April 14) blog post. Now, Apple will still use […]

Google Begins Adding AI Assistant Gemini to Gmail

June 25, 2024
Google is adding its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Gemini, to the side panel of Gmail. The rollout of this feature on both web and mobile began Monday (June 24), the...

Amazon Beta Launches Generative AI Shopping Assistant Rufus

February 01, 2024
Amazon has beta launched a new generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered shopping assistant.  Dubbed “Rufus,” the assistant is now available to a small subset of customers using the Amazon mobile app and...

Firework Unveils AI-Powered Virtual Shopping Assistant

January 10, 2024
Firework, a video commerce and engagement platform, has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual shopping assistant for eCommerce merchants. Dubbed AVA (AI Virtual Assistant), the assistant takes the form of...