What is Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is a software program developed based on an artificial intelligence (AI) platform, which helps users perform operations or query information through voice or text. Virtual assistants are capable of processing natural language and machine learning, making it possible for humans to significantly save time and effort in daily activities.

Some of the applications that are specifically used such as Alexa, Cortana, and Google Assistant are installed on many smart devices such as phones, smart speakers, televisions, and even smart home systems. These applications provide information or perform simple commands, support users to manage schedules, and control devices. In the future, the development of virtual assistants promises to open up even more opportunities, not only in daily life but also in the fields of education, healthcare, and business.

A virtual assistant is a software program that helps users perform operations or search for information through text and voice

Features of virtual assistants

Today's virtual assistant is a tool that helps users perform simple operations, possessing many powerful features such as:

●    Voice device control: The virtual assistant has accurate voice recognition, allowing users to give commands to easily control smart devices without touching their hands. For example, turning on the lights, playing music or adjusting the temperature in the house, with just one command, the virtual assistant can do it all.

●    Create calls and read messages on command: Another useful feature of virtual assistants when users can't use their hands is the ability to make calls or read messages via voice commands.

●    Support quick information search: Virtual assistants also have access to big data sources and can answer questions and provide information quickly. Any questions such as learning about the weather, schedules, or even specialized terms are answered accurately and promptly thanks to virtual assistants.

●    Ability to learn from users: Virtual assistants can memorize usage habits and learn from user activities. Thereby, virtual assistants help improve the accuracy and personalization of responses, bringing a better and better experience to users over time.

●    Automate tasks to improve performance: Virtual assistants also have the feature of automating repetitive tasks such as scheduling meetings, sending emails, or reminding important tasks.

The virtual assistant has accurate voice recognition, allowing users to give commands for easy control

Top 6 most prominent virtual assistants today

Virtual assistants are a technology that is becoming increasingly popular and widely used in smart devices. Here are the 6 most prominent virtual assistants today that you can refer to:

Siri (Apple)

Siri is Apple's exclusive virtual assistant, integrated on most of its devices such as iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple Watch. Siri can help users perform tasks such as searching for information, sending messages, and controlling smart devices. However, Siri only supports some languages, of which Vietnamese is not fully supported.

Siri has many outstanding strengths such as:

●    Integrate most on Apple devices.

●    Highly secure and easy to use.

●    Easily interact with Apple services such as Apple Music, iCloud.

However, Siri also faces some limitations such as:

●    Language restrictions, no support for Vietnamese.

●    The ability to process orders is sometimes not as accurate as other assistants.

Applications: Siri is mainly used to support simple tasks such as making phone calls, texting, and searching for information quickly on Apple devices. It can also control smart devices in the Apple ecosystem.

Siri is installed and controls most smart devices in the Apple ecosystem

Google Assistant (Google)

Google Assistant is a virtual assistant developed by Google and can work on multiple platforms, including Android and iOS. This virtual assistant is able to understand the context and perform complex tasks, so it is very popular thanks to its powerful search feature and support for many languages, including Vietnamese.

Google Assistant possesses a number of outstanding advantages such as:

●    Can work with multiple languages, including Vietnamese.

●    Voice recognition is fast and accurate.

●    Integrates with many Google services such as Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail.

However, Google Assistant is also not lacking in some weaknesses:

●    It can sometimes be difficult to recognize voices in noisy environments.

●    The Internet connection needs to be stable when using.

Application: Google Assistant can perform many tasks such as searching for information, controlling smart devices, sending messages, playing music. In particular, it supports users to search for information quickly and accurately through Google Search.

Google Assistant is capable of understanding context and performing complex tasks

Bixby (Samsung)

Bixby is Samsung's virtual assistant, which is installed in its devices such as Galaxy phones and other products. Bixby is capable of identifying and executing complex commands, helping users manage schedules, send messages, and search for information quickly.

Bixby offers several benefits such as:

●    Installed with Samsung devices.

●    The ability to recognize complex commands and control the device well.

●    Text and image recognition, making it easy for users to search for information from images.

Bixby also has some drawbacks to keep in mind:

●    Not as widely popular as Siri and Google Assistant.

●    Sometimes not working stably on some devices.

Application: Bixby is mainly used to control Samsung devices, perform tasks such as messaging, search for information, help users interact with Samsung features in a smoother way.

Bixby is mainly used to control Samsung devices, perform tasks such as messaging, search for information

Cortana (Microsoft)

Cortana is Microsoft's virtual assistant, built into the Windows operating system and Microsoft products. While Cortana isn't as popular as other assistants, it can still help users schedule, send emails, and perform simple tasks.

Cortana offers several advantages such as:

●    Deep integration with Microsoft ecosystems such as Office 365, OneDrive.

●    Can help schedule and remind users of meetings and tasks.

However, Cortana also faces some drawbacks such as:

●    Lacks features compared to other assistants like Siri and Google Assistant.

●    Not updated regularly and not growing strongly.

Apps: Cortana is commonly used in work environments, especially in tasks related to Office 365 and schedule management. It helps users perform office tasks such as sending emails, creating appointments, and searching for documents.

Cortana is integrated on Windows operating systems and Microsoft products

Amazon Alexa

Alexa is Amazon's virtual assistant that features deep integration into smart devices in the home, especially Amazon Echo products. Alexa can control smart home devices, play music, provide weather information, and even order online.

Alexa offers some special advantages such as:

●    Powerful integration with smart devices in the home.

●    Scalability with third-party applications and services.

●    Can play music and control smart home devices.

Alexa also has some disadvantages such as:

●    The Internet connection needs to be stable when using.

●    It can sometimes be difficult to recognize voices in noisy environments.

Apps: Alexa is mainly used to control smart home devices, play music, provide weather information, and support online shopping. This virtual assistant is very useful in smart home management.

Amazon Alexa is mainly used to control smart home devices

Viettel AI virtual assistant

Viettel AI virtual assistant is an advanced technology platform developed by Viettel, applying artificial intelligence (AI) to provide solutions to support businesses in communication, customer consultation and workflow automation. With up to 95% accurate speech recognition and 96% accurate intent recognition, the platform provides a natural and effective communication experience for users.

Application of Viettel AI virtual assistant in the following fields:

●    Finance, banking, insurance: Support customers to look up account information, consult service packages, and remind automatic payments.

●    Government: Support to look up legal documents, provide policy information.

●    Telecommunications: Customer care, technical request processing support.

In addition, Viettel AI virtual assistant is being widely applied in the following fields:

●    Legal Virtual Assistant: Helps look up legal documents quickly and accurately.

●    Virtual assistant for Party members' handbook: Support cadres and Party members in looking up regulations, guidelines and documents related to Party work.

●    Virtual assistant of the Ministry of Science and Technology: Providing information on policies, regulations, and support in the field of communication and information technology.

●    Personal virtual assistant of the future: Aiming to become a virtual assistant that supports individuals in daily life, from schedule reminders, work management to information consulting.

Conclusion: In the future, virtual assistants will continue to thrive, especially with the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Virtual assistants are getting smarter and smarter, able to understand and respond to user needs accurately and quickly. In summary, Viettel AI has provided information about what virtual assistants are, their benefits in improving work efficiency, as well as introducing outstanding virtual assistants today to help you choose and use the right one.

Contact information:

●    Hotline: +84 98 1900 911

●    Email: viettelai@viettel.com.vn

●    Address:

○    Hanoi: Ministry of Planning and Investment Building – No. 7 Ton That Thuyet Street, Cau Giay New Urban Area, Hanoi

○    Ho Chi Minh City: 23rd Floor, Viettel Complex Building, 285 Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

●    Website: https://viettelai.vn/