What are the benefits of virtual assistants for business?

A decade ago, the names Alexa and Cortana were just names. These days, however, they're synonymous with intelligent or virtual assistants, which – along with the likes of Samsung Bixby, Siri, IBM Watson and Google Assistant – have redefined how we interact with our devices and software. These "virtual butlers" can carry out a range of tasks, from making lists and scheduling appointments to ordering taxis, opening software and activating smart devices – all controlled by simple voice commands. Originally aimed at the consumer market, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) means that they're becoming increasingly useful in the world of business. "We've barely scratched the surface of what virtual assistants can do," says Henrik Nordmark, head of data science at data and marketing services firm, Profusion.