AI-powered voice assistants are transforming business and user experience.
Listen to this story starting at 15:37 on the new, revamped The DSN Podcast. Even when your day is packed, we make it easy to stay informed, engaged and one step ahead. Listen now or read below!
Voice technology has rapidly evolved, becoming an integral part of daily life and operations for more businesses. Customers regularly interact with brands and platforms through voice technologies. Recent advancements have significantly enhanced the capabilities and applications of voice assistants.
Beyond Smart Speakers
Voice assistants are no longer confined to smart speakers. They are now integrated into various devices, including televisions, thermostats and refrigerators as well as wearable technology like advanced headphones and interactive hearing aids. This expansion allows for more seamless and ubiquitous user interactions across different environments.
Companies are increasingly creating custom voice personas to represent their brands, moving beyond generic assistants like Alexa or Siri. According to Deepgram, 82 percent of businesses are using voice technology. This strategy enhances brand identity and provides personalized user experiences, allowing brands to communicate directly with consumers in a distinctive voice.
Emotionally Intelligent Voice Assistants
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) enable voice assistants to recognize and respond to the emotional tone of users. This capability allows for more empathetic and contextually appropriate interactions, improving customer service and user satisfaction. Examples are upbeat when making a sale or concerned when addressing a complaint, notes a ReadSpeaker article.
Enhanced Security Features
To address privacy concerns, voice assistants are incorporating built-in security features such as speaker verification and identity confirmation. These measures help ensure that interactions are secure and that personal information is protected.
Increased Adoption Across Demographics
Voice assistant usage is growing across various age groups, with significant adoption among younger demographics. ReadSpeaker says approximately 62 percent of Americans aged 18 and older use a voice assistant. A Keywords Everywhere article says about 90 percent of people find voice search easier than typing out a search online.
Integration with Artificial Intelligence
The integration of AI into voice assistants has led to more natural and intuitive interactions. AI-powered assistants can perform complex tasks, understand context and provide personalized responses. This can help a salesforce hone in on more specific target demographics and identify weekly action steps.
Economic Impact and Market Growth
The voice assistant market is experiencing substantial growth, with projections indicating that the number of users will continue to rise. About 8.4 billion voice assistants were expected to be in use worldwide by the end of 2024, according to Yaguara. And around 149.8 million people in the US were expected to have used voice assistants by the end of last year.
From the March/April 2025 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.
