Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with software smarts that help them think like people. The effort is seen as an evolution in computing that allows users to interact with machines in natural conversation style, telling devices to tend to tasks such as ordering goods, checking traffic, making restaurant reservations or searching for information. The artificial intelligence (AI) component in these programs aims to make create a world in which everyone can have a virtual aide that gets to know them better with each interaction. Google Assistant software is being built into new Pixel handsets -- aiming to outdo Apple's Siri Glenn Chapman (AFP/File) Google is making a high-profile push into AI, with the internet titan's chief referring to it as a force for change as powerful as powerful as smartphones. Google Assistant software is being built into new Pixel handsets -- aiming to outdo Apple's Siri -- enabling users to organize and use information on the devices and in the cloud -- to check emails, stay up to date on calendar appointments, news or ask for traffic and weather data.

Applications that use some sort of AI are a dime a dozen. Artificial intelligence is now running robots, speech-to-text programs, cars, and doing everything from creating movie trailers to composing music. Google wants to take that to a whole new level. The search giant has announced its newest product this weekend: the Google Assistant, a voice-activated digital helper powered by AI. Now, Google doesn't normally build its own smartphones or gadgets, but they did for Assistant. On their own, these devices have merit but don't really stand out next to Amazon's Echo or Apple's iPhone 7. What makes them interesting is Assistant, which is controlled through simple voice commands and offers a more conversational style than Apple's Siri.

Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with software smarts that help them think like people. The effort is seen as an evolution in computing that allows users to interact with machines in natural conversation style, telling devices to tend to tasks such as ordering goods, checking traffic, making restaurant reservations or searching for information. The artificial intelligence (AI) component in these programs aims to make create a world in which everyone can have a virtual aide that gets to know them better with each interaction. Google Assistant software is being built into new Pixel handsets -- aiming to outdo Apple's Siri, while a host of other tech companies from Amazon to Facebook are making their own AI offerings.

Samsung has acquired the Viv AI Assistant creators of the Siri. The famous Apple assistant was co-founded by Dag Kittlaus, Adam Cheyer, and Chris Brigham. Apple acquired Siri in 2010 but the trio left Apple in 2012. Since then, they founded Viv, which continues to operate as an independent company. Viv is being touted as the global brain, thanks to its intelligent interface.

A Boston-based startup is hoping its state-of-the-art microphones will power the scores of voice-enabled smart devices that Silicon Valley giants and industry experts expect will soon become fixtures in homes and businesses around the globe. "People communicate by speaking, that's one of our primary methods of communicating, that's how our brains are wired," said Vesper Technologies CEO Matt Crowley, whose company is developing microphones that can be used in smartphones, speakers, and just about anything else connected to the internet that can be controlled by the human voice. Vesper microphones are made using a special kind of crystal that naturally generates an electric signal when it bends. This electric signal is then treated like any other signal from a microphone -- making the smart devices of tomorrow capable of being activated with a single command. Crowley said the reason voice-controlled devices like the soon-to-be-released Google Home are so popular is because they have the potential to make the fun and cool things people currently do with their phones -- like turning on the lights or turning up the thermostat -- easier to do.

Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by the creators of Appleâ s Siri (techcrunch.com) Has anybody heard when they plan to release Viv to the public?

Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with software smarts that help them think like people. The effort is seen as an evolution in computing that allows users to interact with machines in natural conversation style, telling devices to tend to tasks such as ordering goods, checking traffic, making restaurant reservations or searching for information. The artificial intelligence (AI) component in these programs aims to Read More ... Tags: Computer systems Computer Software Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence software San Francisco (AFP) - Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with software smarts that help them think like people. The effort is seen as an evolution in computing that allows users to interact with machines in natural conversation style, telling devices to tend to tasks such as ordering goods, checking traffic, making restaurant reservations or searching for information. According to PRNewswire, Arria NLG, a leader in artificial intelligence ("AI") and natural language generation ("NLG"), is pleased to announce the private beta launch of Articulator Lite, a cloud-based toolkit that allows users to build their own applications that create content from data.

Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with software smarts that help them think like people. The effort is seen as an evolution in computing that allows users to interact with machines in natural conversation style, telling devices to tend to tasks such as ordering goods, checking traffic, making restaurant reservations or searching for information. The artificial intelligence (AI) component in these programs aims to make create a world in which everyone can have a virtual aide that gets to know them better with each interaction. Google is making a high-profile push into AI, with the internet titan's chief referring to it as a force for change as powerful as powerful as smartphones. Google Assistant software is being built into new Pixel handsets--aiming to outdo Apple's Siri--enabling users to organize and use information on the devices and in the cloud--to check emails, stay up to date on calendar appointments, news or ask for traffic and weather data.

But now that the devices have been revealed, it's fair to say that the Google-made factor is not the sole push for Pixel devices. A central element of all the new gadgets is the Google Assistant, which uses artificial intelligence to deliver what CEO Sundar Pichai described as "a personal Google for each and every user". Answering questions plays to Google's strengths, but hardware has generally been a weakness for the company. "Search is increasingly taking place in many more places, via many more devices and through new interfaces", Husson said, so to stay relevant in the long run, Google is finding ways to embed Google Assistant into people's lives. Yes, it's similar to Siri, but it's fair to say Google is better at search than Apple, so its assistant should reflect that.

SAN FRANCISCO - Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with software smarts that help them think like people. Google Assistant software is being built into new Pixel handsets -- aiming to outdo Apple's Siri The effort is seen as an evolution in computing that allows users to interact with machines in natural conversation style, telling devices to tend to tasks such as ordering goods, checking traffic, making restaurant reservations or searching for information. The artificial intelligence (AI) component in these programs aims to make create a world in which everyone can have a virtual aide that gets to know them better with each interaction. Google is making a high-profile push into AI, with the internet titan's chief referring to it as a force for change as powerful as powerful as smartphones. Google Assistant software is being built into new Pixel handsets -- aiming to outdo Apple's Siri -- enabling users to organize and use information on the devices and in the cloud -- to check emails, stay up to date on calendar appointments, news or ask for traffic and weather data.