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The Rise of AI-Powered Personal Assistants in Everyday Life
Jamie Finch
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February 7, 2024
Computers you could talk to and ask for help once sounded like science fiction. However, such technology is already with us and is gradually becoming a common household item.
Such tools include the likes of Siri and Alexa, which can help with a wide range of tasks around the home. As this technology continues to evolve, we can expect artificial intelligence (AI) assistants to play an increasingly larger part in our lives.
Here’s a brief look at how AI personal assistants have impacted our day-to-day lives.
Not just a directory
Enabling a computer to understand complex and nuanced behaviour is a monumental task, but recent developments have helped machines to understand us when we speak naturally. For example, you could verbally ask your AI assistant where the nearest restaurant is, and they will reply with an answer.
Models are trained using vast databases of voice recordings, helping them understand different accents and speech impediments, etc. In addition to being vast encyclopaedias, today’s AI-powered personal assistants can do more than extract information from a database for you. For example, the latest AI assistants can also ensure your home is cosy when you get home and help you complete work tasks.
Here's a look at some of the key benefits that AI assistants offer:
Integration with other devices
As mentioned, AI assistants can get your home just right for you, and they do this by integrating with household items like boilers and light switches. Your assistant can then raise or lower the temperature, for example, in time for when you get home from work.
As AI technology develops, we can expect it to take over more of our work and day-to-day lives. In the future, AI personal assistants might become standard household items found all over the world.
Personalised user experience
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the latest AI assistants is their ability to “learn” from the many interactions they undertake. Over time, the technology will learn your preferences and use that information to provide a personalised user experience (UX).
Examples of AI assistants providing a personalised service are found in search results, with algorithms showing the best choices according to the individual’s previous interactions. Many AI assistants will also try to learn your habits to help the best they can.
Works 24/7
AI can work 24/7 without ever needing to take a break. It never asks for a holiday or a pay rise and can’t be overworked. This means you can count on AI to keep working regardless of the day or time, and it will always be available when you need it.
Keeps you organised
An AI personal assistant is much the same as a brick-and-mortar assistant in that their key job is to help keep their boss organised. This typically involves maintaining your calendar, sending reminders, and so on. An AI assistant can even set your alarm to wake you in the morning.
How have businesses benefited?
While we use AI regularly in everyday life, it has also become an essential tool for countless businesses around the globe. The technology offers various benefits for businesses, including the following:
Productivity boost
AI has given numerous businesses a significant productivity boost. For example, AI can help with mundane tasks like stock management, leaving you free to work on other tasks. Individuals can use their time more efficiently, and their employers benefit from higher productivity.
One of the main impacts business productivity has on day-to-day life is seen in the price of goods. A company that uses AI will likely run more efficiently than others, helping to keep the price down. They can then pass on their cost savings to their customers to make them more competitive.
Reduce human error
Humans are prone to making errors, which are sometimes costly. Fortunately, AI can automate many tasks, which will all but eliminate human error.
AI can still make errors because it depends on receiving high volumes of accurate data. However, AI can automate tasks like sending emails with 100% accuracy and in a fraction of the time it would take a person.
Reduce lead times
AI personal assistants can help reduce lead times by working through multiple tasks simultaneously and being constantly available. For example, manual data entry can be tiresome and time-consuming, potentially increasing the time it takes to get the product to customers. With AI streamlining processes, companies can offer shorter lead times that give them an edge over competitors.
Enhance user engagement
Using AI helps you create content that enhances user engagement. Not only will this sometimes lead to direct sales, but engaging with your users helps to nurture the prospect until they are ready to buy.
One of the most effective ways to get visitors to interact is by creating quizzes, competitions, and other reasons for online visitors to interact with you. AI can create the content for you, meaning you don’t have to endure the time and expense of making the image yourself.
Enhance user experience
Using AI assistants can make processes smoother, improving the experience for all involved. AI can be particularly useful for websites as it can help guide visitors and give them solutions quickly. Such a tool will help make your website easier to navigate and ensure visitors find what they are looking for, making them more likely to return and recommend you to others.
Build customer loyalty
The more positive interactions you have with your prospects, the more sales you will make. These interactions, also known as “touchpoints,” can be anything from financial transactions to reading content. AI can help you build quality content and other online assets that will encourage interactions with your prospects.
Challenges facing AI
AI is a revolutionary technology set to make our lives easier. However, while it no doubt brings benefits, the technology is not without its drawbacks. Here’s a look at some of the challenges AI faces.
Privacy and security
Privacy and security are always keywords when it comes to doing anything online, and AI assistants are no exception. After all, if the wrong person gains access to your personal assistant, they can learn a lot about you.
AI assistants use the latest security measures to help protect your personal data. Some security measures even include AI that helps them keep ahead of bad-faith actors.
Poor results with small databases
Any AI platform that uses a small database is prone to errors. The smaller the sample size, the greater the effect outliers will have on the overall results, potentially skewing the data.
Remember that it can take time for your AI personal assistant to learn enough about you to provide consistent results. Results will become more accurate as time goes by, and the algorithms learn from your interactions.
Reluctance to adopt
AI represents a technological revolution, but while many are happy to adopt the software, others are not so keen. For example, privacy and security concerns deter some people from using the technology. Many others are slow to trust emerging technologies, while finances are another common barrier. Regardless, more people are likely to adopt AI assistants as the technology develops, offering more functionality at lower costs.
Copyright challenges
AI is an impressive development, but it is limited to working only with the available data. Content or other information that AI assistants offer is collated from data already available on the internet, meaning AI effectively copies existing data before re-presenting it for your use. This has led to numerous copyright challenges that could help to define how we use AI well into the future.
Emerging trends in AI assistance
As AI technology evolves, we will discover new ways to use it and make our lives easier. This ongoing evolution brings new trends, including:
Wearable AI assistants
AI assistants are usually kept on a surface where anybody close enough can use them. However, manufacturers are now developing wearable AI assistants you can take everywhere. For example, some AI assistants may be worn like a watch, which can be very useful if you need to know something while shopping.
Integration with other technologies
As AI develops, we can also expect it to be integrated with other breakthrough technologies. For example, integrating AI with virtual reality or augmented reality could give the users a personalised experience that adds to the experience. We will also see new uses developed for AI personal assistants, boosting their functionality.
Summary
AI-powered assistants are here to stay and look set to be a key part of our lives. This technology can benefit us in our day-to-day lives, while it can also help businesses thrive. As the technology evolves, we will continue to find new uses, and one day, AI-powered assistants might be considered essential.
