Cortana, Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence Virtual Assistant

Adam Milton-Barker | Oct 7, 2014 | The Singularity & Transhumanism | 4169

 

Microsoft's Cortana is the latest in a range of Artificial Intelligence Virtual Assistants that have been available and in every day use on phones throughout the world for some time. Two other examples of this type of A.I Virtual Assistant are Apple's Siri and Google Now. Cortana has not yet fully been rolled out yet but I have been able to get hold of it through the Windows 8.1 Developer Preview. I have included some screen shots of the Nokia Lumia Phone and the upgrade process to 8.1. Cortana learns your habits and uses this to provide you a unique user experience, at the beginning of the installation process Cortana asks you some questions that will help get a foundation understanding of your likes and needs allowing her to provide the right type of service. Some of the main features are the ability to find answers to questions for you using voice command, to open websites and even interact with your reminders and other useful features of your phone. Cortana is currently in a battle with her well known rival, Apple's Siri. If you search online you should find some funny Siri vs Cortana videos that show the two arguing. You will soon be able to find out more about Cortana in this blog and also find out about Google Now and Siri in our other A.I Blogs.