How tech firms are using artificial intelligence to help smartphones think like we do
Digital assistants are high on the priority list of big tech companies looking to give Apple’s Siri some new AI friends
Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with AI software that help them think like people. Other than Amazon and Google, here are some other digital assistants on the market for both home and away.
Samsung
The South Korean electronics giant may be under fire for its faulty Note 7s, but it’s hard at work to push for new tech, including purchasing the US start-up Viv Labs, launched by the creators of Apple’s Siri. Samsung says the acquisition announced this month is part of its effort to provide AI-based voice assistance services its customers can use across all Samsung devices and products, from smartphones to televisions to washing machines.
Samsung is the world’s leading maker of smartphones powered by Google’s Android software, but also has its own Tizen mobile operating system, so how it may field its own virtual assistant technology remains to be seen.
Microsoft
Microsoft’s personal assistant uses the name Cortana and is available on Windows devices and its Xbox console and as an application on Apple iOS and Android devices.