The 4 levels of bots: How to stop worrying and love AI

It's been hard to ignore bots and virtual assistants lately. Google is integrating its Google Assistant into its smartphones, home devices, and Allo messaging service. Amazon's smart-home Echo device is becoming an "unlikely hit" among American households, selling an estimated 3 million devices since its launch in 2014. And, of course, every day sees a new article about a new bot service, smart messaging service, or digital virtual assistant. In the coverage of bots and AI, however, everything seems to bleed together -- AI, chatbots, personal assistants, voice control, and self-driving cars.