Term
Voice Assistant (ˈvɔɪs əˈsɪstənt)
Definition
A Voice Assistant is a feature in artificial intelligence systems like Siri or Alexa that lets you interact with devices by speaking. You can make queries or give commands using just your voice.
Where you’ll find it
Voice Assistants are embedded in various devices such as smartphones, smart speakers, and computers. In apps, they can usually be accessed via a dedicated button or activated through specific voice commands. They are standard features and do not require special plans or subscriptions.
Common use cases
- Asking for the weather forecast or news updates.
- Controlling smart home devices like lights or thermostats.
- Setting reminders, alarms, or playing music.
Things to watch out for
- Voice Assistants might struggle to understand strong accents or dialects.
- Privacy concerns arise from the device’s need to listen for commands.
- They have limited ability to understand complex commands compared to typed input.
Related terms
- Artificial Intelligence
- Smart Device
- User Interface
- Natural Language Processing
- Automation