You may want to think twice about your next search query, as Google's mobile messaging app might not keep it a secret. Allo, which includes Assistant, has been found to share people's search content in the middle of text conversations with other users. The flaw was discovered by Recode after a friend asked the bot a question, which answered with link from a previous search - but Google has since fixed the issue. Allo, which includes Assistant, has been found to share people's search content in the middle of text conversations with other users The flaw was discovered by Recode (pictured) after a friend asked the bot a question, which answered with link from a previous search Personal Assistant: Chats often involve making plans, and when this is the case Google Assistant can retrieve information on nearby restaurants, movie times and even the weather. Beyond planning, Google Assistant can give you the latest news and sports scores, translate phrases or do math calculations.

When Tag Heuer introduced its Connected smartwatch sequel, called the Connected Modular 45, early Tuesday, Intel was there to reveal it is working on a special artificially intelligent assistant for the wearable. What makes this Siri competitor special according to the chipmaker is the fact that it is genderless. Intel's New Technology Group VP Jerry Bautista said at the launch event that Intel is preparing a genderless digital assistant for the andro that will arrive later this year. Though Bautista did not expound on how this genderless nature would be possible, he did drop a few details about the AI assistant. It is said to be smart enough to adjust reminders based on the user's current activities.

It would be a bit of an understatement to simply say that technology has rapidly been improving our lives. This, of course, can be felt not only in our personal lives -- where we all now have a tiny computer in our pocket -- but also in our business. We took a look at some of the biggest UC trends for 2017, and it's pretty safe to say that all new trends are based off of new technologies. If there is one UC industry in particular that benefits directly from technology improvements, it has to be contact centers. Previously, we focused on the omnichannel experience for 2017, but modern tech looks like it will help push our centers even further.

Longer term, who knows the fate of the human agent. There is certainly plenty of impetus for automation, but for now it can seem like a cool gimmick (see the Henn na Hotel). If used on any scale, AI has to be proven to definitively ease the customer journey and ultimately grow revenue.

Every company wants to find ways to be more relevant in their customers' lives, whether that means making their online shopping experience more personalized or providing exceptional service. When Domino's Pizza introduced Amazon Echo ordering capabilities, it addressed a tangible consumer benefit: the ability to order their favorite pie without lifting a finger. Domino's is just one example of how companies are using artificial intelligence (AI) to drive consumer engagement and awareness by offering a discrete utility to customers. While AI might feel like a fringe -- and perhaps somewhat futuristic -- marketing tactic, home devices like Amazon Echo (now in 8 million homes) and Google Home are bringing these types of experiences to the mainstream. With more consumers springing for home assistant products, forward-thinking companies are identifying new and novel ways to fit into their consumers' lives.

Logitech's Harmony series has come a long way and now with the Elite remote control you can do more than ever before. This universal remote not only lets you control all your media devices (from TVs to streaming media players), but it also handles a variety of smart home products. You can use the Harmony Elite to adjust your Nest thermostat or connected lighting systems, all from that well-worn spot on the couch. As if that wasn't enough, the Elite universal home control also supports Alexa. Now you can even take the remote out of the equation, by simply using your voice along with one of Amazon's smart speakers.

Amazon Echo is strange enough - especially with fears that Alexa, its intelligent personal assistant, is listening to our every word. But a robot enthusiast has just made it even creepier by transforming his Alexa into a terrifying talking skull. Not only does this skull appear to talk, but it can also nod, tilt its head and even move its eyeballs at the same time. The skull is made by an American computer and robotics fanatic called Mike McGurrin who lives in Virginia. The key components are the skull, an Alexa and a special chip.

What is machine learning and how does it work? You've probably heard the buzz. The age of artificial intelligence has arrived. But that doesn't mean it's easy to wrap your mind around. Let's break down the basics of artificial intelligence, bots, and machine learning. Besides, there's nothing that will impact marketing more in the next five to ten years than artificial intelligence.

For many firms transforming business operations via technology means improving how they interact with -- and meet -- customer needs. In fact, customer experience represents the single best opportunity financial services firms have to deliver on their priorities, according to a survey by Econsultancy. What's more, 45% of respondents indicated that making the customer experience as personalised and relevant as possible is their key focus. CEOs around the world are not asking if digital disruption will occur, but instead, what it means for their business. So the questioned asked in this article, is how can financial institutions leverage digital transformation to advance their competitive position, strengthen customer engagement and improve performance?

Artificial intelligence is having its breakout moment. Once confined to the realm of science fiction, it seems bright-eyed entrepreneurs everywhere are now getting into AI. As renowned author, editor, and futurist Kevin Kelly puts it, "The business plans of the next 10,000 startups are easy to forecast: Take X and add AI." But while disruptive opportunities abound for AI, there's also no shortage of challenges to overcome. Anyone who has tried their hand at training a fledgling AI will tell you, there's one hurdle that eclipses them all: removing a human from the loop. It's no secret that scaling AI typically involves human agents operating as a safety net, working in the background and ready to take the controls when a bot gets stuck.