AI assistants are making messaging apps smarter
Artificial intelligence-backed smart assistants can help users by providing them smart suggestions and replies within the app interface
AI-based assistant in messaging apps
add_main_imageMicrosoft’s AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based smart assistant Cortana will now be available in the Skype app on Android and iOS. It can help users by suggesting smart replies, setting reminders and fetching useful information such as movie timing and nearby restaurants within an ongoing chat. It doesn’t work with video chats as of now.
Until now Cortana was available as a standalone assistant in Windows 10 and as a separate app in Android and iOS. Cortana in Skype is currently available only in the US, but is expected to roll out in other countries soon. mobAds
Skype isn’t the only messaging app with built-in personal assistant which uses AI.
Months before the Google Assistant was released on Pixel and other Android smartphones, it showed up within Goggle Allo.
Like the Assistant on smartphones, it uses machine learning and natural language processing to understand the context in a conversation so it can suggest more accurate and smart replies to users.
So if you are looking for some information during a chat, you don’t have to leave the app and open the Google search or Assistant separately on the smartphone. You can ask the Google assistant and it will furnish the information within the chat interface. It has something for everyone. It can help professionals by setting reminders for a meeting. If you are bored, you can play games on it.
Allo is also secure to use as it encrypts all messages including the chats with Google assistant.thirdMAds
Facebook’s AI-enabled personal assistant is called M and it’s available inside the Messenger app.It is available to users in select countries only. It is a bit different from Google Assistant and doesn’t respond to direct questions yet.
It uses machine learning to understand the context in a conversation and provides suggestions of its own when it wants to. So if you are planning to go out, it will provide a cab suggestion from Uber. Similarly, if you are chatting about having food, it will show nearby restaurants and eating options. It also provides sticker suggestions during chats to make them more interactive.
Most Android smartphones come with Google Assistant built into them; the rest can download it from the Play Store. Similarly, if you are using an iPhone, you can ask Siri for assistance with voice commands or a tap of a button.
By introducing AI-based assistant in messaging apps, app developers are trying to make them smarter and lift the entire chat experience to a new level. Smartphone assistants will take you away from the chat page to its own interface, while assistants in messaging apps will try to get you as much information on the chat page. It can help you find the right stickers and emojis during a chat, get restaurant suggestions without even asking and check flight or cab availability without leaving the app.
With time these assistants will be able to provide more contextual and useful suggestions during conversations based on your chat history and past requests. fifthMAds
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First Published:11 Oct 2017, 12:05 PM IST
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