Follow
There are a lot of objects today that contain virtual assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Assistant. Smartphones, smart speakers, washing machines and clocks. They all have it. So, as expected, the problem is not finding a virtual assistant within an object. The challenge is finding someone who actually uses the virtual assistant for more than the normal object can do. Let’s say you have a radio. Now put a virtual assistant inside and what do you have? Still a radio. You may be able to vocally control it, but it still does what a radio is supposed to do, play music.
This is why a management consulting firm called Activate recently analyzed how heavy users of virtual assistants actually use them. They found that those people turn to them for music, weather, they ask questions or set timers. Apart from this? Not much. According to Activate’s research, most Alexa users have never used anything else than the assistant’s basic apps. And while there are indeed hardcore fans out there who use Alexa for a variety of other things, most people still prefer routine tasks. So, is there a solution for this? Could there be something that could make these people use the virtual assistant for more things? Probably not.
People don’t use virtual assistant for too many things
Most big companies are currently trying to integrate their virtual assistants into as many things as possible. From phones to cars to intelligent houses. And while these virtual assistants are capable of doing a very large number of things, people are satisfied with their basic functions.
There are numerous examples of people who only use them for fun, music or to change the lights in the room. Experts are saying that things will get better because people are now learning more about these many functions virtual assistants have. Still, some years will pass before they will learn their true value.
Image source: pixabay
