Tech giants race for edge in artificial intelligence

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.