Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed our lives in numerous ways, with AI Assistants being a prime example. These digital helpers have become integral to our daily routines, from managing calendars to playing our favorite music.
With their growing popularity, the market for AI assistants has expanded, and this article will delve into the ten best AI assistants that are revolutionizing our interactions with technology.
AI Assistants Overview
An artificial intelligence assistant is a program that can act as a virtual assistant that utilizes technologies such as natural language processing (NLP) to interpret and execute voice or text instructions. They can accomplish many tasks, including reading emails, setting reminders, placing phone calls, and much more.
Most AI assistants are cloud-based, allowing for access from any location with internet connectivity. They can be linked with smart devices to integrate them into our lives further. The most effective AI assistants employ self-learning algorithms, enabling them to adapt to user preferences and speech nuances.
1. Siri
Siri from Apple is perhaps the most well-known AI assistant. Siri utilizes a natural language user interface (UI) and voice queries to perform a host of useful functions. It is available on all major Apple platforms like iOS, macOS, and iPadOS, and it’s highly personalized, adapting to the users’ languages, searches, preferences, etc.
Key Features:
- Answering questions
- Making recommendations
- Making phone calls and sending text messages
- Dictating location
- Referring to Internet services
2. Otter
Otter is a trailblazer in the world of AI meeting assistants. It can record audio, transcribe notes, capture slides automatically, and generate summaries. Otter’s integration with Google or Microsoft Calendar allows it to automatically join and document your meetings on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.
When slides are shared during a virtual meeting, Otter captures and incorporates them into the meeting notes. After the meeting, Otter generates a summary and emails it to you, saving you time to revisit the entire transcript.
Key Features:
- Instantaneous call recording and transcription
- Ability to add comments and highlight crucial points
- Integration with Google & Microsoft Calendar
- Automated slide capture and insertion into meeting notes
- Automatic summary generation and emailing
3. Cortana
Microsoft’s Cortana is a formidable competitor in the AI assistant market. Cortana uses NLP and various forms of data to provide personalized recommendations. It is compatible with many platforms, including Mixed Reality (MR), and is available with Windows 10, Windows Mobile, Android, Alexa, and more.
Key Features:
- Answering questions
- Providing reminders
- Taking notes
- Helping manage your calendars
- Performing various tasks
4. Fireflies
Fireflies is another AI meeting assistant that leverages NLP to eliminate the need for note-taking during meetings. It allows easy recording, transcription, and search across voice conversations on a user-friendly platform.
Upload your audio file or a live meeting, and Fireflies will transcribe it, enabling you to skim. Listen to the transcripts after hearing the audio. The assistant’s search functionality allows you to review an hour-long call in less than five minutes, focusing on action items and other significant highlights.
Key Features:
- Instant call recording and transcription
- Chrome extension for direct meeting & call capture from the browser
- Easy-to-use search function for call review
- Bot for easy meeting invitations or auto-joining calls on your calendar
- Capability to transcribe existing audio files instantly within the dashboard
- Integration with dialers, Zapier, or API to process audio & calls
5. Murf
Murf is a renowned AI voice generator that is often used to create AI assistants. Text can be converted into speech using voice-overs and dictations, making it a favorite among product developers, podcasters, educators, and business leaders.
Murf offers a comprehensive AI voice-over studio that includes a built-in video editor. This allows you to create a video with a voiceover from your choice of over 100 AI voices in 15 languages. Among the preferences you can choose are the speaker, the accent or voice style, and the tone or purpose of the message.
Key Features:
- Library offering over 100 AI voices across languages
- Expressive emotional speaking styles
- Audio and text input support
- AI Voice-Over Studio
- Customizable through tone, accents, and more
6. Google Assistant
Google Assistant launched in 2016 and has gained traction as one of the most advanced AI-enabled, voice-powered virtual assistants. Thanks to partnerships with several companies, Google Assistant is now available on many devices, including smartphones, headphones, home appliances, and cars.
Key Features:
- Voice and text entry
- Availability on many devices
- Voice-activated control
- Task completion
- Reminders and appointments
- Real-time translation
7. Alexa
Amazon’s Alexa is a highly popular AI-powered virtual assistant. In addition to voice interaction, NLP, voice queries are used, and more to perform tasks such as creating to-do lists, setting alarms, playing audiobooks, and streaming podcasts. Alexa also provides real-time traffic, news, weather, sports, and more information.
Key Features:
- Music playback and audiobooks
- To-do lists
- Podcast streaming
- News and sports updates
- Real-time weather and traffic data
8. Socratic
Socratic helps students with homework and math using AI technology.. Using AI, the app explains concepts visually based on pictures taken with the phone’s camera.
Key Features:
- Assists students with learning and homework
- Visual explanations of concepts
- Text and speech recognition
- Compatibility with various subjects
9. Youper
Youper is an AI-powered emotional health assistant app. It helps users manage their emotional health by holding quick conversations and guiding users through personalized meditations.
Key Features:
- iOS and Android compatibility
- Quick conversations
- Personalized meditations
- Ranked as a top mental health app
10. ELSA Speak
ELSA Speak is an AI-powered app that helps users learn to speak English. It allows users to improve their English pronunciation through interaction with short dialogues, with instant feedback provided by AI technologies.
Key Features:
- Short dialogues
- Instant feedback
- Speech recognition technology
- Trial period
- Availability on Android and iOS
Conclusion
AI assistants are more than just a trend; they are a testament to technological advancements and our increasing reliance on them. Whether it’s for managing meetings, learning new languages, or monitoring our emotional health, these AI assistants are shaping the future of how we interact with technology.