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Best AI Assistant 2016 [VIDEO]: Alexa Vs Siri Vs Cortana Vs Google! Find Out The Best Artificial Intelligence Software Here!

uBmuse
First Posted: Dec 01, 2016 05:00 AM EST

The quest for finding out the best AI Assistant 2016 has just begun. All of the major tech giants have an Artificial Intelligence Software of their own. While Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana have been around for quite a while, Amazon's Alexa as well as Google's new Assistant are comparatively new.

Amazon Echo is already on a winning streak, but to find out the best AI Assistant 2016, many other things have also to be considered. SWR tested all these major Artificial Intelligence Softwares in various fields of application to see how each of them responds. Here's what we found:

Best AI Assistant 2016: How To Test AI?

As each AI has a different instructions set, it's hard to compare each personal assistant based on the same terms. Based on the fields of operation, the AI assistant's work can be classified in a number of fields, including basic tasks, travel, email/message handling, general knowledge, humor, weather reports and reminders.

Best AI Assistant 2016 Basic Tasks Comparison: Alexa Vs Siri Vs Cortana Vs Google Assistant

One of the simplest basic tasks we ask our Personal AI Assistant to do is to play music. We asked each of the AI to play "Closer ft. Hasley" by The Chainsmokers. As no assistant typically has the same streaming service as the other, they all functioned in a different manner.

Siri found the song quite easily on Apple Music. But unfortunately, it's the only streaming service it supports. Google Assistant, on the other hand, supports Spotify, Google Play Music as well as Youtube. The App usually prefers using the Play Music option and did play the music from my library.

Cortana is very much similar to Google Assistant, with a slight difference that it uses Groove Music Service in place of Google's Play Music. Alexa, as expected, was the smoothest AI in playing the song. It keeps records of your latest Amazon Music Library and plays exactly what you ask.

Best AI Assistant 2016 Travel / Navigation: Alexa Vs Siri Vs Cortana Vs Google

Google Assistant gets a high advantage in Navigation skills for the Google Maps. When asked for directions, the App immediately opens up a route in Google Maps. Siri works in a similar manner but unfortunately wasn't able to find out the exact destination. Instead, it pointed out to a number of locations and asked us for the location.

Alexa, which is stuck in a Bluetooth speaker couldn't do much in the Navigation. However, the AI assistant did use Yelp data to identify the location and tell the distance in hours. Cortana, just like Siri, pulled up a list of potential destinations and then asked to choose the exact location. The route then opens up in Windows Maps.

Best AI Assistant 2016 E-Mail/ Message Handling: Alexa Vs Siri Vs Cortana Vs Google

Siri and Google Assistant function almost alike when it comes to e-mail handling. While the Google Assistant has a better interface, both AI Assistants recognize the names in the contact list and send the message dictated by you.

Cortana works in a similar way but doesn't work as smoothly as Google Assistant or Siri. Alexa obviously couldn't recognize the question. When asked to send a text message Siri, Google Assistant and Cortana all rank the same in the list of best AI Assistant 2016.

Best AI Assistant 2016 (Other Skills): Alexa Vs Siri Vs Cortana Vs Google

When asked for the latest cricket scores, Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa came up with the current scores. Cortana, however, brought up only the links to articles related to Cricket Scores. When you look for nearby restaurants or wish to make an appointment, only Siri truly understands. Rest of the AI Assistants are either incapable or pull out their search results.

Best AI Assistant 2016: Verdict

All the personal AI Assistants work quite well in handling apps and alarms. As most of these apps have different instructions, they work well on their own. However, based on the above comparison and leaving aside some minor drawbacks, both Siri and Google Assistant lead the way for the perfect Artifical Intelligence Assistant.

While Cortana and Alexa are better in some other fields, on an overall score, they are a few steps behind Siri and Google Assistant. Stay tuned to SWR for more news and updates on the Best AI Assistant 2016.

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