Voice assistants are everywhere – there’s probably access to one in your pocket right now.
But voice assistants aren’t limited to smartphones. As AI assistants grow in popularity, voice mode is becoming more popular for businesses, too.
It’s becoming more common for AI agents and AI chatbots to offer voice capabilities, especially with the advancements in chatbots like ChatGPT.
If you want to know more about voice assistants, here’s what you need to get started.
What is a voice assistant?
A voice assistant is software that uses voice commands to perform tasks, answer questions, or control devices.
These assistants rely on advanced technologies like speech recognition and natural language processing to understand and respond to users in real time.
Voice assistants are found in everyday devices, from smartphones and smart speakers to cars and appliances. They can set reminders, play music, or provide weather updates—all triggered by a simple phrase like “Hey Siri” or “Alexa.”
Examples of voice assistants
You’ve likely used a voice assistant before – here are a few of the most common ones, typically found on personal devices:
1. Siri
Apple’s virtual assistant, integrated into iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices, known for its seamless ecosystem support and privacy-first approach.
2. Alexa
Amazon’s assistant, widely used in Echo devices and renowned for its smart home integrations, shopping capabilities, and vast library of "Skills."
3. Google Assistant
Google’s AI-powered assistant available on Android devices, smart speakers, and more, known for its deep integration with Google services like Search, Maps, and Calendar.
4. Cortana
Microsoft’s assistant, primarily designed for productivity and integration with Office 365 tools, though it’s seen less prominence in recent years.
5. Bixby
Samsung’s assistant, built into Samsung smartphones and appliances, focusing on device control and customization.
6. Xiaodu
Baidu’s voice assistant, popular in China, with strong integration into Baidu’s ecosystem of search, maps, and smart devices.
How do voice assistants work?
Voice assistants rely on advanced technologies to turn spoken commands into actions. Let’s walk through an example: asking a voice assistant, “What’s the weather like today?”
Step 1: Speech Recognition
The assistant begins by using Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to capture and convert your voice into text. When you say, “What’s the weather like today?” the assistant’s ASR system breaks the sound waves of your voice into words it can process, even accounting for accents or background noise.
Step 2: Natural language processing
Next, the assistant uses natural language processing (NLP) to analyze the text and determine your intent. It identifies the key request – “weather” – and understands that you're asking for a forecast for today. It might also use contextual clues, like your location, to refine its response.
Step 3: Text-to-Speech (TTS) synthesis
Once the assistant gathers the information (e.g., checking a weather API for local forecasts), it creates a response in text form: “The weather today is sunny with a high of 75°F.” The Text-to-Speech system converts this text into clear, human-like speech and plays it back to you.
Benefits of voice assistants
Convenience
Voice assistants allow hands-free operation, making it easy to set reminders, control smart devices, or get quick answers while multitasking.
Accessibility
They provide a user-friendly interface for people with disabilities or those who struggle with traditional tech interactions, offering better access to information and tools.
Efficiency
Voice assistants streamline tasks like scheduling, sending messages, or retrieving information faster than manual input methods.
Personalization
Many assistants learn user preferences over time, tailoring responses and suggestions to individual needs, such as recommending routes or remembering frequent tasks.
Smart home integrations
They can act as hubs for smart home devices, allowing users to control lights, appliances, or security systems with simple voice commands.
Downsides of voice assistants
Privacy concerns
Always-on microphones raise concerns about data collection and potential misuse of personal information.
Accuracy issues
Misunderstandings due to accents, speech impairments, or background noise can lead to frustration and incorrect responses.
Limited functionality without internet
Most voice assistants rely heavily on cloud computing and become nearly useless in offline settings.
Dependence on ecosystems
Many assistants are tied to specific ecosystems (e.g., Siri for Apple, Alexa for Amazon), limiting compatibility and requiring users to commit to a brand.
Potential for misuse
Children or unauthorized users can inadvertently or intentionally make purchases, change settings, or access sensitive information via voice assistants.
How do companies use voice assistants?
Companies use voice assistants to transform how they interact with customers and manage daily operations.
For retailers, these assistants make shopping easier by enabling customers to browse, compare, and purchase products using simple voice commands, creating a more seamless experience.
In customer service, voice assistants handle routine tasks like order tracking or appointment scheduling, allowing human agents to focus on more complex interactions. This not only enhances efficiency but also ensures customers receive faster, more accurate responses.
Businesses also use voice assistants internally, integrating them into smart offices for tasks like managing schedules, controlling environments, or initiating calls hands-free. Even in industries like healthcare, voice assistants support tasks such as sending patient reminders or assisting with medication tracking, showcasing their versatility in improving operations across various sectors.
Can I customize my own voice assistant?
Yes, you can customize a voice assistant using tools like Amazon Alexa Skills Kit or Google Actions to add new commands and features. For more control, open-source platforms like Mycroft let you build assistants tailored to your needs, from custom wake words to unique behaviors.
Businesses can use AI development platforms like Botpress to create advanced, secure assistants for specific tasks or integrations. Whether for personal use or enterprise, customization options make voice assistants highly adaptable.
The future of voice assistants
As the technology becomes more advanced, voice assistants are expected to expand beyond personal devices into cars, appliances, and even public spaces, creating more seamless, voice-driven interactions everywhere.
New use cases are also emerging, such as personalized healthcare assistants, advanced voice interfaces in education, and multilingual capabilities for global accessibility.
With improvements in AI, voice assistants will likely become more context-aware, proactive, and integrated into everyday life, revolutionizing how we interact with technology.
Deploy a custom voice assistant
The perfect AI assistant is the one customized for your unique workflows.
Botpress is the most flexible platform for building AI voice assistants and AI agents. Our pre-built integrations and tutorial library make it easy to build from scratch.
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