But do these popular home assistants use AI to function, and if so, how?

Do Virtual Assistants Like Alexa Use AI?

All virtual assistants differ from one another, and the kind of AI they use differs, too.

Abstract AI brain concept with vivid colors over circuitry background

Miker Rivero / Google / Amazon / Apple / DALL-E / MakeUseOf

However,machine learningis a common technology used by most virtual assistants.

Alexa uses machine learning and NLP (natural language processing) to fulfill requests.

“Natural language” refers to the language used in human conversations, which flows naturally.

image of alexa echo speaker with blue ring light active

to best process voice commands, virtual assistants rely on NLP to fully understand what’s being requested.

Google Assistant uses NLP and a number of complex algorithms to process voice requests and engage in two-way conversations.

Since then, Google Assistant has undergone several updates.

Finally, there’s Apple’s Siri.

Siri currently uses AI for its functions, using both NLP and machine learning.

AI assistants are also moving towards the use of generative AI.

This is a more recent jot down of AI that is already being used in tools like ChatGPT.

Both Google and Alexa are currently developing generative AI capabilities for their voice assistants.

Google is using Gemini, its own large language model (LLM).

In early 2024, reports started surfacing about Apple working to improve Siri using generative AI.

2024 may reveal more information on these developments.

Should Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant Be Considered AI?

So, they can be considered AI.

The introduction of generative AI in virtual assistants is being done through the integration of LLMs.