Simple tasks like weather forecast, cooking recipe or order for the grocery, now do not require you to lift your finger to search it up in apps or internet but instead use your voice to carry out the tasks on your behalf. A digital assistant, also known as virtual assistant, is an advanced computer software that uses voice-commands to respond to the questions and perform the tasks. Using advanced artificial intelligence and natural language processing help the digital assistant to process what you are saying, combining with advanced natural language understanding to analyze your complex sentences and generate more accurate answers (Oracle, 2020).

If you own an Apple product, Siri has been integrated to make your life easier since iPhone 4s in 2011, followed by Google Assistant in Android in 2012 (SmartSheet, 2020). These assistants simplify daily tasks such as sending messages, setting reminders and timers, dialing calls, opening apps, and playing music through voice-commands. The smartphone-based voice assistants have evolved into smart speaker-based with the rise of Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomePod.

Having a personalized virtual digital assistant raises a doubt on whether it will become the next future of computing. Unlike human’s conversation, the digital assistant is a one-way communication that might lack context and precision. It will only be useful if the voice can perform complex tasks with simple commands (TechAltar, 2018). So why is the digital assistant a next revolution? Is it just a mere trend that will fade away or will it change our life for the better?

“Everything you own in the future will be controlled by your voice and they will control you likewise”

– CES, one of the world’s largest annual tech event (Hao, 2018).

In my opinion, the advancement in the digital assistant has made it more than just your daily task assistant. It has penetrated as a new strategic outreach for businesses and their operations. The digital assistant works as a note taker and a researcher during the meeting. It searches for fact and pulls out the data immediately, takes note, sets up date on calendar and creates to-do lists. Marketers should begin to invest in search engine optimization (SEO) that emphasizes on how users search in their speeches; for example, a question and answer format and long-tail keywords that include longer length and specificity of question (time, location, brand, price) (Rothman, 2018).

I guess in our life we all need a gadget that controls more than just your smartphone. The digital assistant now controls the appliances in our house by installing it on your fridge, door and other gadgets to create one software system. You can now control the temperature on your fridge, turn the light off, or wait for an in-home delivery (Hao, 2018). The smart speakers now even has an app that uses white noise to monitor the breathing and movement of sleeping babies (Jee, 2019).

The digital assistant might not be just a personal assistant to some but a companion in life to older and disabled people. Some may thought the older age group is a tech-averse, but they are just interested in different types of features. The voice tech devices can be applied to all demographic as they are not complicated but fun to use. The devices accompanies the elders and helps with everyday tasks that might be difficult when you are old (Basu, 2019). The digital assistant gradually inches into your life and business. The next thing you know, your voice is the controller of your life and you won’t have to move an inch!

List of references

Basu, T. (2019). Alexa will be your best friend when you’re older. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614044/alexa-will-be-your-best-friend-when-youre-older/

Hao, K. (2019). One day your voice will control all your gadgets, and they will control you. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/f/612750/one-day-your-voice-will-control-all-your-gadgets-and-they-will-control-you/

Jee, C. (2019). “Alexa, monitor my baby.” A smart-speaker app can monitor an infant’s breathing. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/f/614585/alexa-monitor-my-baby-a-smart-speaker-app-can-monitor-an-infants-breathing/

Oracle. (2020). What Is a Digital Assistant? Retrieved from https://www.oracle.com/solutions/chatbots/what-is-a-digital-assistant.html

Rothman, N. (2018). Every Digital Assistant You Need to Know & Understand. Search Engine Journal. Retrieved from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/digital-assistants-guide/238577/

SmartSheet. (2020). Voice Assistants: How Artificial Intelligence Assistants Are Changing Our Lives Every Day. Retrieved from https://www.smartsheet.com/voice-assistants-artificial-intelligence

About Me

Hi there! My name is Lyly ENG, a young, hardworking, passionate and ambitious student/colleague & an individual who aspires to work as a financial analyst with a dual degree from AUPP & the University of Arizona.