There are plenty of headlines about how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming everything from smartphones to our cars, but understanding how exactly to benefit from AI as an investor can be a little harder. AI encompasses a lot of different technologies, like natural language processing (when Google Assistant understands what you're saying), machine vision (semi-autonomous cars knowing the difference between a lamppost and a pedestrian), and even suggesting the next show you should watch (although if an AI suggests HBO's Westworld, you should be suspicious). All of these examples are more than just algorithms that make decisions. They're computing systems that actually learn while they're working. To help you get started in your AI investments, here are five things you should know before jumping into the space.

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Though artificial intelligence experts may cringe at the portrayals of humanlike AI in science fiction, some researchers are nudging us closer to those visions. "I think it's useful that your user interface not only understand your emotions, your personality, your tone, your motivations, but that it also have a set of emotions, personality, motivations," says Rob High, the CTO of IBM Watson. "I think that makes it more natural for us." Last month, High's company unveiled Project Intu, an experimental platform that allows developers the ability to build internet of things devices using its artificial intelligence services, like Conversation, Language and Visual Recognition. Someday, the system promises to let programmers create a staple character of sci-fi: the gregarious, hyper-connected AI like J.A.R.V.I.S. of Iron Man, KITT of Knight Rider, or Star Wars' C3PO.

Time to make the most of them! Google is working hard to make Google Home your home's central entertainment hub. With the latest update, you can now link Netflix with the Google Home app and "OK, Google" things like launching a binge session of Stranger Things. You can also do cool things like launch a slideshow of your pictures from last Christmas on your Google-connected TV. The Amazon Echo-competitor is playing a game of catchup; but Google Home has the advantage of being able to leverage home networks that are already serving up streaming content to TVs and speakers via Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices.

Provided by AFP Facebook CEO and chairman Mark Zuckerberg envisions a software system inspired by the "Iron Man" character Jarvis as a virtual butler managing his household Mark Zuckerberg envisions a software system inspired by the "Iron Man" character Jarvis as a virtual butler managing his household. The Facebook founder's dream is about artificial intelligence, which is slowly but surely creeping into our daily lives, no longer just science fiction. Artificial intelligence or AI is getting a foothold in people's homes, starting with the Amazon devices like its Echo speaker which links to a personal assistant "Alexa" to answer questions and control connected devices such as appliances or light bulbs. Analyst Carolina Milanesi of the research firm Creative Strategies said that "2016 was the year about raising awareness, and exposing consumers to the idea of AI in a more mass market way." Milanesi said it may take time for the technology to fulfill its potential, noting that companies need "a strong hook" to bring large numbers of consumers into this world.

If 2016 was the year of VR, then 2017 looks all set to be the year of smart home automation. Amazon's Alexa Echo skills have taken home voice controls mainstream in the last few months and Google's Home speaker – which went on sale recently – signals the search giant's intent in the area. And it looks as if Microsoft doesn't want to miss out. The tech giant's digital assistant Cortana, which has impressed over the last few years across Windows Phones, Xboxes and Windows PCs, is about to spread its virtual wings into new hardware – most notably a speaker from Harman Kardon. A teaser video for the "new voice activated speaker by Harman Kardon, with Cortana" has just gone live promising the device will be where "Premium Audio Meets Personal Assistant".

"We want to bring intelligence to everything, to everywhere, and for everyone," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told developers earlier this year. Artificial intelligence has been the company's touchstone technology since Cortana, Microsoft's virtual personal assistant was added to Windows more than a year ago. Since then Microsoft has released a deluge of AI-bolstered features in its operating system and standalone software. Skype is augmented with real-time translation. You can talk to bots built on Microsoft software on nearly any messaging platform, and a suite of tools for developers mean the apps you use every day can be configured to call a Microsoft server to identify a face in an image or run speech recognition.

My daughter has asked for a Windows laptop for Christmas, for schoolwork and games. I'm a Mac user and haven't set up a Windows machine for many years so I'd appreciate any advice ... except "get her a Mac/Linux" from below the line! Windows has changed a lot in the past decade, and now it's a mobile operating system. If your daughter has some experience with Google Android, she'll probably cope quite well. Many of Windows 10's main features came from the mobile world.

Though some critics love to knock PCs as dinosaurs, laptops and desktops have gotten sexier, faster and even smarter. For every blue screen of death, there are droves of technological enhancements driving PCs into the era of virtual reality, 4K video and 5G connectivity. Here are the top 10 PC technology and trends to watch next year. An Intel employee demonstrates the company's Project Alloy headset on stage during IDF 2016 in San Francisco on August 16, 2016. VR devices will come in many new shapes and sizes, with some of them acting essentially as PCs that fit on your head.

Now that the Amazon Echo is available in the UK, lots of brands and services have been working on introducing their own Alexa Skills. Owners can ask the intelligent digital assistant for news updates, to hail an Uber and even re-order their favourite takeaway, but one important feature has been missing: IFTTT integration. US owners have enjoyed IFTTT integration for over a year, but the recipe-based service has finally confirmed the launch of its Alexa channel in the UK. Connecting everything up is as simple as visiting the Alexa channel and following the prompts. It'll first request access to Alexa, which requires logging into the Amazon account linked with the Echo, and then ask to integrate with the chosen service. Currently, the channel hosts recipes that allow interaction with Hue lights, Samsung's SmartThings hub, smart thermostats, Evernote, Spotify and Google Drive.