![\"consumers,](\"https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/consumers-digital-activities-weekly-demographics.png\")
Taco Bell will add AI voice technology to hundreds of its drive-thrus by year\u2019s end.
\nIt\u2019s part of parent Yum! Brands\u2019 plans to integrate voice artificial intelligence (AI) to its stores around the world, the company announced Wednesday (July 31).
\n\u201cThe rollout of Voice AI technology in Taco Bell, currently in more than 100 Taco Bell U.S. drive-thrus across 13 states, is designed to enhance back-of-house operations for team members and elevate the order experience for consumers,\u201d Yum said in a news release. \u201cBenefits include easing task load for team members, improving order accuracy, providing a consistent, friendly experience, and reducing wait times, while driving profitable growth for Taco Bell, Yum! Brands and their franchisees.\u201d
\nBased in Louisville, Kentucky, Yum\u2019s other brands include Pizza Hut and KFC. In addition to the Taco Bell AI integration, five KFCs in Australia are simultaneously testing Voice AI technology in drive-thrus.
\nAs PYMNTS wrote last month, AI speech technology is a growing sector, yet it hasn\u2019t fully taken off in the restaurant sector so far. McDonald\u2019s recently ended its partnership with IBM to develop an AI-powered drive-thru system, choosing to remove the technology from over 100 restaurants.
\nA spokesperson for McDonald\u2019s said a voice ordering solution for drive-thrus will be \u201cpart of our restaurants\u2019 future\u201d and added: \u201cWe see tremendous opportunity in advancing our restaurant technology and will continue to evaluate long-term, scalable solutions that will help us make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.\u201d
\n\u201cThe fast-food giant\u2019s decision highlights both the challenges and opportunities in implementing AI voice-ordering systems amid industry wide labor shortages and the push for streamlined operations,\u201d PYMNTS wrote.
\nOther fast-food chains, such as Checkers & Rally\u2019s Restaurants Inc., CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc.\u2019s Hardee\u2019s and Carl\u2019s Jr., and Wendy\u2019s Co., are either testing or have implemented similar technology in their drive-thrus. Yum, meanwhile, has increased its investment in digital, technology and innovation to $21 million in 2023, compared to $11 million the previous year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS wrote last week that technology and technology and automation are increasingly crucial tools in addressing staffing shortages in the restaurant section.
\n\u201cAs of May, restaurant employment has grown by less than 1% despite high demand. This ongoing staffing crunch is pushing restaurants to rely more on technology and automation, including for payment processing,\u201d that report said.
\nThe post Taco Bell Adding AI Voice Ordering to Hundreds of Drive-Thrus appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Taco Bell will add AI voice technology to hundreds of its drive-thrus by year\u2019s end.\nIt\u2019s part of parent Yum! Brands\u2019 plans to integrate voice artificial intelligence (AI) to its stores around the world, the company announced Wednesday (July 31).\n\u201cThe rollout of Voice AI technology in Taco Bell, currently in more than 100 Taco Bell U.S. drive-thrus across 13 states, is designed to enhance back-of-house operations for team members and elevate the order experience for consumers,\u201d Yum said in a news release. \u201cBenefits include easing task load for team members, improving order accuracy, providing a consistent, friendly experience, and reducing wait times, while driving profitable growth for Taco Bell, Yum! Brands and their franchisees.\u201d\nBased in Louisville, Kentucky, Yum\u2019s other brands include Pizza Hut and KFC. In addition to the Taco Bell AI integration, five KFCs in Australia are simultaneously testing Voice AI technology in drive-thrus.\nAs PYMNTS wrote last month, AI speech technology is a growing sector, yet it hasn\u2019t fully taken off in the restaurant sector so far. McDonald\u2019s recently ended its partnership with IBM to develop an AI-powered drive-thru system, choosing to remove the technology from over 100 restaurants.\nA spokesperson for McDonald\u2019s said a voice ordering solution for drive-thrus will be \u201cpart of our restaurants\u2019 future\u201d and added: \u201cWe see tremendous opportunity in advancing our restaurant technology and will continue to evaluate long-term, scalable solutions that will help us make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.\u201d\n\u201cThe fast-food giant\u2019s decision highlights both the challenges and opportunities in implementing AI voice-ordering systems amid industry wide labor shortages and the push for streamlined operations,\u201d PYMNTS wrote.\nOther fast-food chains, such as Checkers & Rally\u2019s Restaurants Inc., CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc.\u2019s Hardee\u2019s and Carl\u2019s Jr., and Wendy\u2019s Co., are either testing or have implemented similar technology in their drive-thrus. Yum, meanwhile, has increased its investment in digital, technology and innovation to $21 million in 2023, compared to $11 million the previous year, according to The Wall Street Journal.\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS wrote last week that technology and technology and automation are increasingly crucial tools in addressing staffing shortages in the restaurant section.\n\u201cAs of May, restaurant employment has grown by less than 1% despite high demand. This ongoing staffing crunch is pushing restaurants to rely more on technology and automation, including for payment processing,\u201d that report said.\nThe post Taco Bell Adding AI Voice Ordering to Hundreds of Drive-Thrus appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-31T19:17:38-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-31T19:17:38-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Taco-Bell.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "AI voice ordering", "artificial intelligene", "drive-thru", "fast food", "food and beverages", "News", "PYMNTS News", "QSRs", "quick service restaurants", "Restaurants", "Taco Bell", "Voice Ordering", "Voice Tech", "What's Hot", "Yum! Brands", "Voice Activation" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2013362", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2024/30percent-of-gen-z-consumers-shop-by-voice-every-week/", "title": "30% of Gen Z Consumers Shop by Voice Every Week", "content_html": "Voice technology is revolutionizing the way consumers shop, with a significant portion of the global population embracing this modern convenience, as young consumers lead the charge.
\nThe 2024 PYMNTS Intelligence report, \u201cHow the World Does Digital,\u201d surveyed more than 67,000 consumers from 11 countries representing around 50% of the global GDP, examining their digital behaviors in multiple facets of daily life.
\nThe study reveals that 17.9% of the overall population utilizes voice technology for shopping at least once a week. However, a closer look at the generational breakdown reveals a stark contrast in adoption rates.
\n
Generation Z leads the charge with 30.4% of its members engaging in voice shopping weekly. This tech-savvy group, known for its fluency with digital devices and preference for seamless experiences, is setting the pace for future consumer behavior.
\nMillennials, not far behind, show a 27.6% weekly usage rate of voice shopping. As digital natives who came of age during the rise of the internet and smartphones, millennials have integrated voice technology into their busy lives, leveraging its convenience to streamline tasks.
\nFor Generation X, the adoption rate drops significantly to 14.9%. This generation, which straddles the divide between the pre-digital and digital eras, shows a more cautious approach to new technology. While many have embraced digital tools, their use of voice technology lags behind the younger generations.
\nThe gap widens further with baby boomers, of whom only 6.8% use voice technology for shopping weekly. This generation, often characterized by its slower adoption of new technologies, appears less inclined to shift from traditional shopping methods to voice-activated commands.
\nIndeed, voice commerce is gaining ground. In a conversation with PYMNTS published in March,\u00a0Christian Mentz, CRO at\u00a0Cerence, shared that with the contextual awareness and natural language processing (NLP) of the latest artificial intelligence models, voice functionality has transformed from a \u201ctask master\u201d service, simply surfacing information, to a more intuitive, human-like experience.
\nTake, for instance, the restaurant industry. Jamie Richardson, vice president of marketing and public relations at White Castle, said in an interview with PYMNTS that he anticipates a surge in voice automation in restaurants this year.
\n\u201c[In 2024], I think [we\u2019ll see] rapid advance, I think increasing consumer acceptance, and advances in the quality of experience for both team members \u2026 as well as customers,\u201d Richardson said. \u201cIf there\u2019s an accelerator principle at play that any of us ever hypothesize, now it\u2019s truer than ever.\u201d
\nThe post 30% of Gen Z Consumers Shop by Voice Every Week appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Voice technology is revolutionizing the way consumers shop, with a significant portion of the global population embracing this modern convenience, as young consumers lead the charge.\nBy the Numbers\nThe 2024 PYMNTS Intelligence report, \u201cHow the World Does Digital,\u201d surveyed more than 67,000 consumers from 11 countries representing around 50% of the global GDP, examining their digital behaviors in multiple facets of daily life.\nThe study reveals that 17.9% of the overall population utilizes voice technology for shopping at least once a week. However, a closer look at the generational breakdown reveals a stark contrast in adoption rates.\n\nGeneration Z leads the charge with 30.4% of its members engaging in voice shopping weekly. This tech-savvy group, known for its fluency with digital devices and preference for seamless experiences, is setting the pace for future consumer behavior.\nMillennials, not far behind, show a 27.6% weekly usage rate of voice shopping. As digital natives who came of age during the rise of the internet and smartphones, millennials have integrated voice technology into their busy lives, leveraging its convenience to streamline tasks.\nFor Generation X, the adoption rate drops significantly to 14.9%. This generation, which straddles the divide between the pre-digital and digital eras, shows a more cautious approach to new technology. While many have embraced digital tools, their use of voice technology lags behind the younger generations.\nThe gap widens further with baby boomers, of whom only 6.8% use voice technology for shopping weekly. This generation, often characterized by its slower adoption of new technologies, appears less inclined to shift from traditional shopping methods to voice-activated commands.\nA Deeper Dive\nIndeed, voice commerce is gaining ground. In a conversation with PYMNTS published in March,\u00a0Christian Mentz, CRO at\u00a0Cerence, shared that with the contextual awareness and natural language processing (NLP) of the latest artificial intelligence models, voice functionality has transformed from a \u201ctask master\u201d service, simply surfacing information, to a more intuitive, human-like experience.\nTake, for instance, the restaurant industry. Jamie Richardson, vice president of marketing and public relations at White Castle, said in an interview with PYMNTS that he anticipates a surge in voice automation in restaurants this year.\n\u201c[In 2024], I think [we\u2019ll see] rapid advance, I think increasing consumer acceptance, and advances in the quality of experience for both team members \u2026 as well as customers,\u201d Richardson said. \u201cIf there\u2019s an accelerator principle at play that any of us ever hypothesize, now it\u2019s truer than ever.\u201d\nThe post 30% of Gen Z Consumers Shop by Voice Every Week appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-18T17:39:47-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-18T17:39:47-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/voicetech-voice-AI.jpg", "tags": [ "Connected Economy", "digital transformation", "ecommerce", "How the World Does Digital", "News", "PYMNTS Intelligence", "PYMNTS News", "voice", "voice commerce", "voicetech", "Voice Activation" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1887902", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2024/voice-assistants-learn-the-art-of-small-talk/", "title": "Voice Assistants Learn the Art of Small Talk", "content_html": "Voice assistants have already made significant strides in areas such as\u00a0smart home integration, educational settings\u00a0and business applications. However, their current capabilities are limited by a lack of robust reasoning and planning abilities.\u00a0
\nRead more:\u00a0AI\u2019s First Year: How Voice Reshaped the Conversational Ecosystem
\nIn fact, just 7.8% of consumers believe voice technology is as smart and reliable as a real person today, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cHow Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy.\u201d
\nThis limitation is evident in the current state of the technology, which is predominantly device-driven and primarily used for simple tasks. For instance, while 52% of consumers have used voice commands to find and purchase airline tickets and accommodations on their mobile devices, only 44% completed the purchase entirely through voice prompts.\u00a0
\nHowever, that percentage could soon increase, with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) paving the way for voice assistants that can complete more complex tasks.
\nCompanies like\u00a0Microsoft-backed\u00a0OpenAI\u00a0and\u00a0Meta\u00a0are spearheading this shift, pioneering the development of new AI models that promise to enhance voice assistants\u2019 reasoning and planning capabilities.
\nAs the Financial Times (FT) recently\u00a0reported, OpenAI\u2019s upcoming model, likely to be named GPT-5, is expected to address complex problems such as problem-solving, while Meta is rolling out Llama 3, an AI model embedded with reasoning, planning and memory capabilities.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re going to start to see AI that can take on more complex tasks in a more sophisticated way,\u201d OpenAI Chief Operating Officer\u00a0Brad Lightcap\u00a0told the FT. \u201cI think we\u2019re just starting to scratch the surface on the ability that these models have to reason.\u201d
\nThe integration of reasoning and planning into voice assistants is crucial for achieving what AI researchers term \u201cartificial general intelligence\u201d \u2014 superhuman cognition. This advancement allows voice assistants to comprehend and execute sequences of related tasks, predict outcomes and provide contextually relevant responses to user queries.
\nEnhanced reasoning and planning capabilities also pave the way for voice assistants to proactively assist users in accomplishing their objectives. For example, Meta is developing AI \u201cagents\u201d capable of planning and booking entire journeys spanning multiple destinations, highlighting the potential for voice technology to streamline complex tasks.\u00a0
\nThe optimism surrounding the future of voice technology is evident among consumers, as the PYMNTS Intelligence study revealed that\u00a0more than 60% of Americans believe that voice assistants will eventually match human intelligence and reliability in the near future.\u00a0
\nMillennials\u00a0are the most optimistic, with 57% expecting this advancement within the next five years, surpassing the 46% average among all consumer demographics.
\nThis optimism is further reflected in a willingness to invest financially in the promise of advanced voice assistants, with nearly 30% of American consumers open to\u00a0paying a monthly fee for services that deliver the envisioned level of intelligence and reliability. Among millennials, this figure rises to 43%, reflecting a strong demand for next-generation voice technology among this age group.\u00a0
\nHowever, despite these promising prospects,\u00a0challenges persist, including concerns about\u00a0fraud, data privacy, security, algorithmic bias, accessibility and\u00a0trust issues. Addressing these issues will be crucial to ensuring that the benefits of advanced voice assistants are responsibly managed and widely accessible to all users.
\nThe post Voice Assistants Learn the Art of Small Talk appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Voice assistants have already made significant strides in areas such as\u00a0smart home integration, educational settings\u00a0and business applications. However, their current capabilities are limited by a lack of robust reasoning and planning abilities.\u00a0\nRead more:\u00a0AI\u2019s First Year: How Voice Reshaped the Conversational Ecosystem\nIn fact, just 7.8% of consumers believe voice technology is as smart and reliable as a real person today, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cHow Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy.\u201d\nThis limitation is evident in the current state of the technology, which is predominantly device-driven and primarily used for simple tasks. For instance, while 52% of consumers have used voice commands to find and purchase airline tickets and accommodations on their mobile devices, only 44% completed the purchase entirely through voice prompts.\u00a0\nHowever, that percentage could soon increase, with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) paving the way for voice assistants that can complete more complex tasks.\nCompanies like\u00a0Microsoft-backed\u00a0OpenAI\u00a0and\u00a0Meta\u00a0are spearheading this shift, pioneering the development of new AI models that promise to enhance voice assistants\u2019 reasoning and planning capabilities.\nAs the Financial Times (FT) recently\u00a0reported, OpenAI\u2019s upcoming model, likely to be named GPT-5, is expected to address complex problems such as problem-solving, while Meta is rolling out Llama 3, an AI model embedded with reasoning, planning and memory capabilities.\n\u201cWe\u2019re going to start to see AI that can take on more complex tasks in a more sophisticated way,\u201d OpenAI Chief Operating Officer\u00a0Brad Lightcap\u00a0told the FT. \u201cI think we\u2019re just starting to scratch the surface on the ability that these models have to reason.\u201d\nThe integration of reasoning and planning into voice assistants is crucial for achieving what AI researchers term \u201cartificial general intelligence\u201d \u2014 superhuman cognition. This advancement allows voice assistants to comprehend and execute sequences of related tasks, predict outcomes and provide contextually relevant responses to user queries.\nEnhanced reasoning and planning capabilities also pave the way for voice assistants to proactively assist users in accomplishing their objectives. For example, Meta is developing AI \u201cagents\u201d capable of planning and booking entire journeys spanning multiple destinations, highlighting the potential for voice technology to streamline complex tasks.\u00a0\nThe optimism surrounding the future of voice technology is evident among consumers, as the PYMNTS Intelligence study revealed that\u00a0more than 60% of Americans believe that voice assistants will eventually match human intelligence and reliability in the near future.\u00a0\nMillennials\u00a0are the most optimistic, with 57% expecting this advancement within the next five years, surpassing the 46% average among all consumer demographics.\nThis optimism is further reflected in a willingness to invest financially in the promise of advanced voice assistants, with nearly 30% of American consumers open to\u00a0paying a monthly fee for services that deliver the envisioned level of intelligence and reliability. Among millennials, this figure rises to 43%, reflecting a strong demand for next-generation voice technology among this age group.\u00a0\nHowever, despite these promising prospects,\u00a0challenges persist, including concerns about\u00a0fraud, data privacy, security, algorithmic bias, accessibility and\u00a0trust issues. Addressing these issues will be crucial to ensuring that the benefits of advanced voice assistants are responsibly managed and widely accessible to all users.\nThe post Voice Assistants Learn the Art of Small Talk appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-04-12T06:39:34-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-04-12T18:38:22-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/voice-tech-AI.jpg", "tags": [ "AGI", "AI", "Artificial General Intelligence", "artificial intelligence", "ChatGPT", "Connected Economy", "GenAI", "generative AI", "Meta", "News", "OpenAI", "PYMNTS News", "voice assistants", "Voice Economy", "Voice Tech", "voice technology", "Voice Activation" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1871237", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2024/voice-commerce-has-long-way-ahead-retail/", "title": "Voice Commerce Has a Long Way to Go in Retail", "content_html": "Despite advancements in voice commerce, the technology still faces challenges driving penetration in the retail sector.
\n![\"The](\"https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-channels-consumers-use-to-buy-retail-items.png\")
PYMNTS Intelligence\u2019s study last April, \u201cTracking the Digital Payments Takeover: Catching the Coming eCommerce Wave\u201d drew from a survey of nearly 2,700 U.S. consumers to understand how they are making their digital purchases, among other matters.
\nThe results revealed that while three-quarters of consumers shop and pay for retail purchases in stores, 15% online using a mobile device, and 12% online using a laptop, only 2% of consumers do so via other channels, such as phone or voice-activated device.
\nThere could be several reasons for this relatively low penetration.
\nVoice-activated devices may have limited functionality or compatibility with certain eCommerce platforms, making it less convenient for consumers to use them for purchases.
\nAdditionally, some consumers may simply not be aware of the option to make purchases using voice-activated devices or may not be familiar with how to use them for this purpose.
\nPlus, voice-activated purchasing experiences may not be as seamless or user-friendly as other methods yet, leading consumers to prefer more developed channels for making purchases.
\nConsumers have been burned before.
\n\u201c[When\u00a0voice AI\u00a0first started,] consumers wanted to have those sci-fi-style, open-ended conversations [with robots], and many were disappointed because the tools at that time could only play music, set timers, tell you the weather,\u201d\u00a0Keyvan Mohajer, CEO and co-founder of conversational intelligence platform\u00a0SoundHound, told PYMNTS\u2019 Karen Webster in an interview last year.
\nHe added that these limited \u201cutility occasions\u201d had the unfortunate side effect of causing consumers to lower their expectations around voice AI applications. Yet, he contended, the technology is finally able to provide consumers with the first promising glimpses of a truly open-ended conversational experience.
\nOne of the key sites of\u00a0voice commerce\u00a0innovation is within consumers\u2019 vehicles, through their cars\u2019 digital interfaces, as\u00a0Ingo Payments\u00a0CEO\u00a0Drew Edwards\u00a0noted in an interview last year with Webster.
\n\u201cApple CarPlay\u00a0and Google [Android Auto] have taken most functions away from the driver and turned them into voice commands,\u201d he said. \u201cThere has got to be some element of intelligence built into that because there\u2019s a dialogue that goes on\u201d as consumers are alerted to, consider and ultimately transact across a range of interactions and experiences.
\nFor all PYMNTS retail coverage, subscribe to the daily Retail Newsletter.
\nThe post Voice Commerce Has a Long Way to Go in Retail appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Despite advancements in voice commerce, the technology still faces challenges driving penetration in the retail sector.\n\nBy the Numbers\nPYMNTS Intelligence\u2019s study last April, \u201cTracking the Digital Payments Takeover: Catching the Coming eCommerce Wave\u201d drew from a survey of nearly 2,700 U.S. consumers to understand how they are making their digital purchases, among other matters.\nThe results revealed that while three-quarters of consumers shop and pay for retail purchases in stores, 15% online using a mobile device, and 12% online using a laptop, only 2% of consumers do so via other channels, such as phone or voice-activated device.\nDrilling Down\nThere could be several reasons for this relatively low penetration.\nVoice-activated devices may have limited functionality or compatibility with certain eCommerce platforms, making it less convenient for consumers to use them for purchases.\nAdditionally, some consumers may simply not be aware of the option to make purchases using voice-activated devices or may not be familiar with how to use them for this purpose.\nPlus, voice-activated purchasing experiences may not be as seamless or user-friendly as other methods yet, leading consumers to prefer more developed channels for making purchases.\nWhat Insiders Are Saying\nConsumers have been burned before.\n\u201c[When\u00a0voice AI\u00a0first started,] consumers wanted to have those sci-fi-style, open-ended conversations [with robots], and many were disappointed because the tools at that time could only play music, set timers, tell you the weather,\u201d\u00a0Keyvan Mohajer, CEO and co-founder of conversational intelligence platform\u00a0SoundHound, told PYMNTS\u2019 Karen Webster in an interview last year.\nHe added that these limited \u201cutility occasions\u201d had the unfortunate side effect of causing consumers to lower their expectations around voice AI applications. Yet, he contended, the technology is finally able to provide consumers with the first promising glimpses of a truly open-ended conversational experience.\nOne of the key sites of\u00a0voice commerce\u00a0innovation is within consumers\u2019 vehicles, through their cars\u2019 digital interfaces, as\u00a0Ingo Payments\u00a0CEO\u00a0Drew Edwards\u00a0noted in an interview last year with Webster.\n\u201cApple CarPlay\u00a0and Google [Android Auto] have taken most functions away from the driver and turned them into voice commands,\u201d he said. \u201cThere has got to be some element of intelligence built into that because there\u2019s a dialogue that goes on\u201d as consumers are alerted to, consider and ultimately transact across a range of interactions and experiences.\nFor all PYMNTS retail coverage, subscribe to the daily Retail Newsletter.\nThe post Voice Commerce Has a Long Way to Go in Retail appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-03-07T16:41:58-05:00", "date_modified": "2024-03-07T22:07:43-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/voice-commerce-retail.jpg", "tags": [ "connected commerce", "Connected Economy", "digital sales", "ecommerce", "Featured News", "Innovation", "News", "online shopping", "PYMNTS Intelligence", "PYMNTS News", "PYMNTS Study", "Retail", "Technology", "Voice Activation", "voice commerce" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1866722", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2024/voice-tech-expands-horizons-amid-increasing-risks-of-scams/", "title": "Voice Tech Expands Horizons Amid Increasing Risks of Scams", "content_html": "From the convenience of voice-activated virtual assistants to the integration of speech recognition in smartphones and smart homes, the technology landscape is increasingly shaped by individual\u2019s ability to communicate verbally with devices.\u00a0
\nAnd recent developments by firms are pushing the boundaries of what voice technology can achieve.\u00a0
\nWhispp\u2019s assistive voice technology, for instance, is opening up new avenues of communication for individuals with\u00a0voice disabilities\u00a0such as severe stuttering or vocal cord paralysis. The advanced voice recognition and synthesis algorithms enables users to express themselves more fluently and confidently, overcoming the limitations imposed by their condition.\u00a0
\nWhispp\u2019s standout feature lies in its capability to analyze old recordings of one\u2019s original voice to maintain a user\u2019s distinct speaking style and accent. Additionally, users have the option to record their current voice, which the app stores as a precautionary measure against potential voice or speech difficulties in the future.
\n\u201cOur big bold dream is to have Whispp\u2019s assistive voice technology available on every smartphone and laptop worldwide to create a more inclusive world,\u201d said Whispp Founder and CEO Joris Castermans, said in a January\u00a0report\u00a0by EU Startups.
\nSimilarly, the recent\u00a0partnership\u00a0between\u00a0Code Factory\u00a0and\u00a0Creoir\u00a0has unveiled another promising application of voice technology in the self-service space. By integrating voice interaction capabilities into existing kiosks, drive-thrus, and POS systems, this collaboration brings forth a new era of convenience and accessibility.\u00a0
\nCustomers can now navigate these interfaces effortlessly, whether they prefer to speak their orders or interact through traditional means. This not only streamlines operations for businesses but also enhances the overall customer experience, catering to a diverse range of preferences and needs.
\nMeanwhile, voice technology firm\u00a0ElevenLabs\u00a0has secured $80 million in Series B funding at a valuation of $1 billion earlier this year. The investment will support the launch of several new products, including a voice library marketplace where users can monetize their own voices by creating artificial intelligence (AI) versions.
\n\u201cUsers can create their professional AI voice replica, verify it, and share it via Voice Library,\u201d the company\u2019s announcement said, PYMNTS reported Jan. 22. \u201cWhen others use these verified voices, the original creators receive compensation. Users always retain control over their voice\u2019s availability and compensation terms.\u201d
\nAmid the surging interest and investment in voice-related ventures,\u00a0concerns regarding the potential misuse\u00a0of this technology for fraudulent purposes are also on the rise.
\nFor instance, scammers could exploit voice cloning to impersonate family members, friends or business executives, tricking unsuspecting individuals and inflicting financial damage.
\nAs\u00a0Karen Postma, managing vice president of risk analytics and fraud services at\u00a0PSCU, told PYMNTS last October, fraudsters utilizing generative AI \u201ccan effectively\u00a0mimic a voice within three seconds of having recorded data,\u201d indicating that they are \u201cutilizing AI to not just commit attacks, but to become very good at committing these attacks.\u201d\u00a0
\nIn response to these apprehensions, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated the Voice Cloning Challenge last year to seek ideas aimed at preventing the\u00a0misuse of the technology.\u00a0
\nSamuel Levine, director of the FTC\u2019s Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized the agency\u2019s commitment to taking a proactive stance in addressing potential threats, noting at the time that they \u201cwant to address harms before they hit the marketplace and enforce the law when they do.\u201d
\nCompanies like ElevenLabs have also affirmed their dedication to the \u201csafe and responsible development\u201d of AI technology, including prioritizing the development of detection tools to ensure the easy identification of AI-generated content.\u00a0
\nThe post Voice Tech Expands Horizons Amid Increasing Risks of Scams appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "From the convenience of voice-activated virtual assistants to the integration of speech recognition in smartphones and smart homes, the technology landscape is increasingly shaped by individual\u2019s ability to communicate verbally with devices.\u00a0\nAnd recent developments by firms are pushing the boundaries of what voice technology can achieve.\u00a0\nWhispp\u2019s assistive voice technology, for instance, is opening up new avenues of communication for individuals with\u00a0voice disabilities\u00a0such as severe stuttering or vocal cord paralysis. The advanced voice recognition and synthesis algorithms enables users to express themselves more fluently and confidently, overcoming the limitations imposed by their condition.\u00a0\nWhispp\u2019s standout feature lies in its capability to analyze old recordings of one\u2019s original voice to maintain a user\u2019s distinct speaking style and accent. Additionally, users have the option to record their current voice, which the app stores as a precautionary measure against potential voice or speech difficulties in the future.\n\u201cOur big bold dream is to have Whispp\u2019s assistive voice technology available on every smartphone and laptop worldwide to create a more inclusive world,\u201d said Whispp Founder and CEO Joris Castermans, said in a January\u00a0report\u00a0by EU Startups.\nSimilarly, the recent\u00a0partnership\u00a0between\u00a0Code Factory\u00a0and\u00a0Creoir\u00a0has unveiled another promising application of voice technology in the self-service space. By integrating voice interaction capabilities into existing kiosks, drive-thrus, and POS systems, this collaboration brings forth a new era of convenience and accessibility.\u00a0\nCustomers can now navigate these interfaces effortlessly, whether they prefer to speak their orders or interact through traditional means. This not only streamlines operations for businesses but also enhances the overall customer experience, catering to a diverse range of preferences and needs.\nMeanwhile, voice technology firm\u00a0ElevenLabs\u00a0has secured $80 million in Series B funding at a valuation of $1 billion earlier this year. The investment will support the launch of several new products, including a voice library marketplace where users can monetize their own voices by creating artificial intelligence (AI) versions.\n\u201cUsers can create their professional AI voice replica, verify it, and share it via Voice Library,\u201d the company\u2019s announcement said, PYMNTS reported Jan. 22. \u201cWhen others use these verified voices, the original creators receive compensation. Users always retain control over their voice\u2019s availability and compensation terms.\u201d\nCombating Misuse of Voice Tech\nAmid the surging interest and investment in voice-related ventures,\u00a0concerns regarding the potential misuse\u00a0of this technology for fraudulent purposes are also on the rise.\nFor instance, scammers could exploit voice cloning to impersonate family members, friends or business executives, tricking unsuspecting individuals and inflicting financial damage.\nAs\u00a0Karen Postma, managing vice president of risk analytics and fraud services at\u00a0PSCU, told PYMNTS last October, fraudsters utilizing generative AI \u201ccan effectively\u00a0mimic a voice within three seconds of having recorded data,\u201d indicating that they are \u201cutilizing AI to not just commit attacks, but to become very good at committing these attacks.\u201d\u00a0\nIn response to these apprehensions, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated the Voice Cloning Challenge last year to seek ideas aimed at preventing the\u00a0misuse of the technology.\u00a0\nSamuel Levine, director of the FTC\u2019s Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized the agency\u2019s commitment to taking a proactive stance in addressing potential threats, noting at the time that they \u201cwant to address harms before they hit the marketplace and enforce the law when they do.\u201d\nCompanies like ElevenLabs have also affirmed their dedication to the \u201csafe and responsible development\u201d of AI technology, including prioritizing the development of detection tools to ensure the easy identification of AI-generated content.\u00a0\nThe post Voice Tech Expands Horizons Amid Increasing Risks of Scams appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-02-29T19:41:12-05:00", "date_modified": "2024-02-29T19:41:12-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/voice-tech.png", "tags": [ "Cybersecurity", "fraud", "Fraud Attacks", "funding", "impersonations", "Innovation", "Investments", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Technology", "Voice Activation", "voice recognition", "Voice Tech" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1609303", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2023/13-percent-consumers-schedule-doctors-appointments-via-voice-tech/", "title": "13% of Consumers Schedule Doctor\u2019s Appointments via Voice Tech", "content_html": "Healthcare innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with more and more industry players and stakeholders increasingly adopting newer technologies to simplify patients\u2019 activities.
\nTake voice technology, for instance. In \u201cPreparing for a Voice Commerce Future Report: Gen AI Raises the Bar on Consumer Expectations for Smart Voice Assistants,\u201d PYMNTS Intelligence drew on a survey of more than 2,900 individuals to explore consumer demand for a voice ecosystem that connects multiple devices and facilitates more complex activities.
\n![\"The](\"https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-voice-risk-complexity-matrix.png\")
The results revealed that 13% of consumers in the United States are now using the technology to schedule doctor\u2019s appointments, highlighting the potential of voice assistants to handle sensitive tasks and streamline healthcare processes.
\nAn example of how voice technology is taking its place as a digital pathway to improve patient experience is through the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistants.
\nEarlier this month, Notable announced the launch of an AI-powered assistant to its automation platform for patient engagement and staff workflows, using generative and conversational AI to help patients interact with the healthcare system.
\nWith this tool, patients can manage multiple tasks from appointment scheduling to bill payments using their native language and voice commands, offering a seamless and personalized healthcare journey for each patient. Additionally, the AI assistant can understand and answer questions in over 130 different languages, making it accessible to a wide range of patients. Real-time insights and reports generated by the assistant also enable health systems to gain a deeper understanding of patient needs and preferences.
\n\u201cThe addition of the Notable Assistant to our platform continues to set the bar for outcomes our health system partners can achieve,\u201d Notable CEO and co-founder Pranay Kapadia said at the time. \u201cIt allows them to deliver a differentiated patient experience and enable their care team members to practice at the top of their license, all while embracing the latest in AI in a safe and responsible way.\u201d
\nThe news came as the healthcare sector is projected to nearly double its spending on AI next year to 10.5%, up from 5.5% in 2022. According to Morgan Stanley, while 94% of healthcare companies are using AI and/or machine learning (ML) in some capacity, \u201cit has yet to reach its full potential as a driver of new business opportunities and efficiencies.\u201d
\nKalle Conneryd-Lundgren, chief operating officer at pan-European HealthTech firm Kry, shared this view. He put the healthcare sector at the top of the list when assessing industries set to benefit the most from the transformative power of AI.
\n\u201cI will go as far as saying that I can\u2019t see any sector that has the same sort of embedded potential as healthcare in terms of using \u2026 generative AI like ChatGPT,\u201d Conneryd-Lundgren told PYMNTS in an interview posted in April, adding that \u201cit will be hard for any healthcare provider not to utilize AI in the long term. You simply won\u2019t be effective [without it].\u201d
\nHowever, concerns about personal and financial security remain a top priority for consumers and patients alike partly because voice technology is largely device-based and lacks seamless integration across multiple devices and applications. To assuage these concerns, advancements in voice operating systems aimed at achieving a fully integrated voice economy will be crucial, the PYMNTS Intelligence study stated.
\nFor all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter.
\nThe post 13% of Consumers Schedule Doctor\u2019s Appointments via Voice Tech appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Healthcare innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with more and more industry players and stakeholders increasingly adopting newer technologies to simplify patients\u2019 activities.\nTake voice technology, for instance. In \u201cPreparing for a Voice Commerce Future Report: Gen AI Raises the Bar on Consumer Expectations for Smart Voice Assistants,\u201d PYMNTS Intelligence drew on a survey of more than 2,900 individuals to explore consumer demand for a voice ecosystem that connects multiple devices and facilitates more complex activities.\n\nThe results revealed that 13% of consumers in the United States are now using the technology to schedule doctor\u2019s appointments, highlighting the potential of voice assistants to handle sensitive tasks and streamline healthcare processes.\nAn example of how voice technology is taking its place as a digital pathway to improve patient experience is through the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistants.\nEarlier this month, Notable announced the launch of an AI-powered assistant to its automation platform for patient engagement and staff workflows, using generative and conversational AI to help patients interact with the healthcare system.\nWith this tool, patients can manage multiple tasks from appointment scheduling to bill payments using their native language and voice commands, offering a seamless and personalized healthcare journey for each patient. Additionally, the AI assistant can understand and answer questions in over 130 different languages, making it accessible to a wide range of patients. Real-time insights and reports generated by the assistant also enable health systems to gain a deeper understanding of patient needs and preferences.\n\u201cThe addition of the Notable Assistant to our platform continues to set the bar for outcomes our health system partners can achieve,\u201d Notable CEO and co-founder Pranay Kapadia said at the time. \u201cIt allows them to deliver a differentiated patient experience and enable their care team members to practice at the top of their license, all while embracing the latest in AI in a safe and responsible way.\u201d\nThe news came as the healthcare sector is projected to nearly double its spending on AI next year to 10.5%, up from 5.5% in 2022. According to Morgan Stanley, while 94% of healthcare companies are using AI and/or machine learning (ML) in some capacity, \u201cit has yet to reach its full potential as a driver of new business opportunities and efficiencies.\u201d\nKalle Conneryd-Lundgren, chief operating officer at pan-European HealthTech firm Kry, shared this view. He put the healthcare sector at the top of the list when assessing industries set to benefit the most from the transformative power of AI.\n\u201cI will go as far as saying that I can\u2019t see any sector that has the same sort of embedded potential as healthcare in terms of using \u2026 generative AI like ChatGPT,\u201d Conneryd-Lundgren told PYMNTS in an interview posted in April, adding that \u201cit will be hard for any healthcare provider not to utilize AI in the long term. You simply won\u2019t be effective [without it].\u201d\nHowever, concerns about personal and financial security remain a top priority for consumers and patients alike partly because voice technology is largely device-based and lacks seamless integration across multiple devices and applications. To assuage these concerns, advancements in voice operating systems aimed at achieving a fully integrated voice economy will be crucial, the PYMNTS Intelligence study stated.\nFor all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter.\nThe post 13% of Consumers Schedule Doctor\u2019s Appointments via Voice Tech appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2023-09-25T16:33:26-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-25T16:33:26-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/voice-assistant.jpg", "tags": [ "artificial intelligence", "digital transformation", "Healthcare", "Innovation", "News", "PYMNTS Intelligence", "PYMNTS News", "PYMNTS Study", "Technology", "Voice Activation" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1608328", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2023/11percent-of-consumers-make-restaurant-reservations-via-voice-technology/", "title": "11% of Consumers Make Restaurant Reservations via Voice Technology", "content_html": "As restaurants look to get more bodies in seats, they could benefit from integrating their reservation platforms with the voice assistants that consumers use day to day, PYMNTS Intelligence suggests.
\nFor PYMNTS\u2019 recent study \u201cPreparing for a Voice Commerce Future Report: Gen AI Raises the Bar on Consumer Expectations for Smart Voice Assistants,\u201d we surveyed more than 2,900 U.S. consumers about how they use voice technology, among other related matters. The results revealed that 11% use the technology to make reservations at restaurants.
\n![\"voice](\"https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/voice-technology-use.png\")
This finding could be useful for restaurants, considering that, with ongoing labor and margin challenges, many eateries are looking to automate wherever possible. By going after these voice-engaged consumers, restaurants can remove work from the reservation-taking process on their end.
\nIn fact, PYMNTS Intelligence from last year\u2019s \u201cRestaurant Readiness Index,\u201d created in collaboration with Paytronix, which drew from a survey of more than 500 managers of quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and full-service restaurants (FSRs) across the country, found that only 14% of restaurants have their reservations/bookings operations mostly or fully automated.
\nIndeed, digital reservations are increasingly part of restaurant operations.
\nOn a call with analysts in July, American Express CEO Steve Squeri noted that the company\u2019s Resy platform is seeing more reservations than ever.
\n\u201cQ2 is a record quarter for restaurant reservations through our Resy platform,\u201d he said.
\nRestaurants are not the only one looking to automate the process. OpenTable parent company Booking Holdings spoke to its own efforts in the space on its last earnings call.
\n\u201cWe mentioned last quarter that OpenTable and Kayak were experimenting with AI [artificial intelligence] plug-ins. And we will continue to examine all areas of our company to ensure we are taking advantage of AI-created efficiencies,\u201d Booking Holdings President and CEO Glenn Fogel said. \u201cWe are confident in our company\u2019s ability to benefit from AI development and improve our products for our customers given our many years\u2019 experience in AI, our travel-related data and connections to our supply partners and our human and financial capital.\u201d
\nThe post 11% of Consumers Make Restaurant Reservations via Voice Technology appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "As restaurants look to get more bodies in seats, they could benefit from integrating their reservation platforms with the voice assistants that consumers use day to day, PYMNTS Intelligence suggests.\nBy the Numbers\nFor PYMNTS\u2019 recent study \u201cPreparing for a Voice Commerce Future Report: Gen AI Raises the Bar on Consumer Expectations for Smart Voice Assistants,\u201d we surveyed more than 2,900 U.S. consumers about how they use voice technology, among other related matters. The results revealed that 11% use the technology to make reservations at restaurants.\n\nThis finding could be useful for restaurants, considering that, with ongoing labor and margin challenges, many eateries are looking to automate wherever possible. By going after these voice-engaged consumers, restaurants can remove work from the reservation-taking process on their end.\nIn fact, PYMNTS Intelligence from last year\u2019s \u201cRestaurant Readiness Index,\u201d created in collaboration with Paytronix, which drew from a survey of more than 500 managers of quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and full-service restaurants (FSRs) across the country, found that only 14% of restaurants have their reservations/bookings operations mostly or fully automated.\nThe Data in Context\nIndeed, digital reservations are increasingly part of restaurant operations.\nOn a call with analysts in July, American Express CEO Steve Squeri noted that the company\u2019s Resy platform is seeing more reservations than ever.\n\u201cQ2 is a record quarter for restaurant reservations through our Resy platform,\u201d he said.\nRestaurants are not the only one looking to automate the process. OpenTable parent company Booking Holdings spoke to its own efforts in the space on its last earnings call.\n\u201cWe mentioned last quarter that OpenTable and Kayak were experimenting with AI [artificial intelligence] plug-ins. And we will continue to examine all areas of our company to ensure we are taking advantage of AI-created efficiencies,\u201d Booking Holdings President and CEO Glenn Fogel said. \u201cWe are confident in our company\u2019s ability to benefit from AI development and improve our products for our customers given our many years\u2019 experience in AI, our travel-related data and connections to our supply partners and our human and financial capital.\u201d\nThe post 11% of Consumers Make Restaurant Reservations via Voice Technology appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2023-09-21T17:09:34-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-21T17:09:34-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/voice-technology.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "American Express", "artificial intelligence", "Booking Holdings", "digital reservations", "News", "opentable", "Paytronix", "PYMNTS Intelligence", "PYMNTS News", "Restaurants", "Technology", "voice assistants", "voice technology", "Voice Activation" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1603027", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2023/americans-would-pay-120-a-year-to-have-a-reliable-and-smart-voice-assistant/", "title": "Americans Would Pay $120 a Year to Have a Reliable and Smart Voice Assistant", "content_html": "In today\u2019s technology-driven world, smart and mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives.
\nHowever, the traditional touchscreen interfaces that dominate these devices often limit their usability. Now, a new frontier has emerged in the form of voice technology.
\nIn the report \u201cHow Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy,\u201d PYMNTS leveraged insights from a survey of nearly 3,000 U.S. consumers to examine their views and attitudes toward voice technology, especially how they use voice today, the friction they face and what they expect from voice technology in the future.
\nOne of the primary reasons consumers prefer voice technology over other methods is its ability to complete tasks faster, easier and more efficiently. Fifty-eight percent of consumers said using voice technology is easier and more convenient, while 54% said they appreciate its speed compared to typing or using a touchscreen. Additionally, 20% of consumers said voice technology is more secure, further enhancing its appeal.
\nLike the fascination with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT, consumers are increasingly drawn to the \u201chumanness\u201d of voice technology, with some believing that voice assistants will eventually possess the same level of intelligence and reliability as humans. According to PYMNTS\u2019 data, more than 60% of U.S. consumers trust that voice assistants will reach this level of sophistication, with 46% believing it will happen within the next five years.
\n![\"When](\"https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/When-will-voice-technology-be-as-good-as-speaking-to-a-human.png\")
Drilling down, the data showed millennials exhibit the highest level of optimism regarding the future capabilities of voice technology. Fifty-seven percent of millennials said they think voice technology will match human intelligence and reliability within five years, and 11% said it already has.
\nOn the other hand, baby boomers and seniors are more skeptical, with 18% doubting that voice assistants will ever reach that level of sophistication.
\nOptimism for voice assistants is not limited to mere belief, as 30% of Americans expressed a willingness to pay a monthly fee for a reliable and intelligent voice assistant.
\nAmong millennials, this figure rose to 43%, while only 5.8% of baby boomers and seniors shared the same sentiment. Higher-income consumers also displayed a greater inclination to invest in voice assistants, with 31% of them willing to pay more than $10 per month.
\nThe post Americans Would Pay $120 a Year to Have a Reliable and Smart Voice Assistant appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "In today\u2019s technology-driven world, smart and mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives.\nHowever, the traditional touchscreen interfaces that dominate these devices often limit their usability. Now, a new frontier has emerged in the form of voice technology.\nIn the report \u201cHow Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy,\u201d PYMNTS leveraged insights from a survey of nearly 3,000 U.S. consumers to examine their views and attitudes toward voice technology, especially how they use voice today, the friction they face and what they expect from voice technology in the future.\nOne of the primary reasons consumers prefer voice technology over other methods is its ability to complete tasks faster, easier and more efficiently. Fifty-eight percent of consumers said using voice technology is easier and more convenient, while 54% said they appreciate its speed compared to typing or using a touchscreen. Additionally, 20% of consumers said voice technology is more secure, further enhancing its appeal.\nLike the fascination with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT, consumers are increasingly drawn to the \u201chumanness\u201d of voice technology, with some believing that voice assistants will eventually possess the same level of intelligence and reliability as humans. According to PYMNTS\u2019 data, more than 60% of U.S. consumers trust that voice assistants will reach this level of sophistication, with 46% believing it will happen within the next five years.\n\nDrilling down, the data showed millennials exhibit the highest level of optimism regarding the future capabilities of voice technology. Fifty-seven percent of millennials said they think voice technology will match human intelligence and reliability within five years, and 11% said it already has.\nOn the other hand, baby boomers and seniors are more skeptical, with 18% doubting that voice assistants will ever reach that level of sophistication.\nOptimism for voice assistants is not limited to mere belief, as 30% of Americans expressed a willingness to pay a monthly fee for a reliable and intelligent voice assistant.\nAmong millennials, this figure rose to 43%, while only 5.8% of baby boomers and seniors shared the same sentiment. Higher-income consumers also displayed a greater inclination to invest in voice assistants, with 31% of them willing to pay more than $10 per month.\nThe post Americans Would Pay $120 a Year to Have a Reliable and Smart Voice Assistant appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2023-09-11T04:00:07-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-11T09:06:23-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/voice-assistant.jpg", "tags": [ "Baby Boomers", "data point", "Featured News", "Millennials", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Security", "Technology", "The Data Brief", "The Data Point", "Voice Activation" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1505895", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2023/elavon-signs-deal-to-power-payments-on-voice-activated-hospitality-solution/", "title": "Elavon Signs Deal to Power Payments on Voice-Activated Hospitality Solution", "content_html": "Elavon\u00a0is powering the payments behind a voice-activated system for the hospitality industry.
\nThe global payments provider has signed a deal with\u00a0Amazon-approved partner\u00a0The Digital Line\u00a0(TDL) to become the exclusive payments provider in hospitality, globally, for Audico, a system that uses Amazon Alexa to deliver voice-driven services, the companies said in a Wednesday (May 17)\u00a0press release.
\n\u201cVirtual assistant technology is the future of hospitality, and we\u2019re thrilled to be powering the payments behind Audico,\u201d Elavon Merchant Services President in Europe\u00a0Hemlata Narasimhan\u00a0said in the release. \u201cThis is all about improving the customer experience, and a large part of this is seamless payments.\u201d
\nAudico has already been implemented at the Ascot Racecourse in southeast England, where it allows premium customers to use audible commands to make purchases from their private boxes, relays those commands to staff as a card-not-present transaction, and enables payment to be made using a predetermined account, according to the press release.
\nTDL and Elavon are also exploring using Audico in premium hospitality areas at other venues, for room service in hotels and for services in the healthcare industry, the release said.
\n\u201cThis partnership represents a unique opportunity for two recognized brands to collaborate on initiatives that will revolutionize multiple business verticals, including hospitality, venues and healthcare, delivering a level of digital transformation not seen before,\u201d The Digital Line CEO George Vaughan\u00a0said in the release.
\nAs PYMNTS reported Monday (May 15), automation could fill an urgent need in the\u00a0hospitality industry.
\nFor one thing, both hotels and restaurants have been experiencing staffing shortages across the board in recent years.
\nIn addition, customers are hungry for digital experiences when they travel, with about 3 out of 4 customers saying that they want to use their mobile phones to check in to hotels, pay and order food, and that they believe artificial intelligence (AI) could tailor individualized experiences and amenities for them.
\nBoth customer-facing and back-end functionalities lend themselves to automation, with digital tools replacing many processes previously done manually, according to \u201cCan Automation Solve Labor Shortages in the Hospitality Sector?,\u201d the May edition of the \u201cHospitality Tracker\u00ae,\u201d a PYMNTS and LS Retail\u00a0collaboration.
\nThe post Elavon Signs Deal to Power Payments on Voice-Activated Hospitality Solution appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Elavon\u00a0is powering the payments behind a voice-activated system for the hospitality industry.\nThe global payments provider has signed a deal with\u00a0Amazon-approved partner\u00a0The Digital Line\u00a0(TDL) to become the exclusive payments provider in hospitality, globally, for Audico, a system that uses Amazon Alexa to deliver voice-driven services, the companies said in a Wednesday (May 17)\u00a0press release.\n\u201cVirtual assistant technology is the future of hospitality, and we\u2019re thrilled to be powering the payments behind Audico,\u201d Elavon Merchant Services President in Europe\u00a0Hemlata Narasimhan\u00a0said in the release. \u201cThis is all about improving the customer experience, and a large part of this is seamless payments.\u201d\nAudico has already been implemented at the Ascot Racecourse in southeast England, where it allows premium customers to use audible commands to make purchases from their private boxes, relays those commands to staff as a card-not-present transaction, and enables payment to be made using a predetermined account, according to the press release.\nTDL and Elavon are also exploring using Audico in premium hospitality areas at other venues, for room service in hotels and for services in the healthcare industry, the release said.\n\u201cThis partnership represents a unique opportunity for two recognized brands to collaborate on initiatives that will revolutionize multiple business verticals, including hospitality, venues and healthcare, delivering a level of digital transformation not seen before,\u201d The Digital Line CEO George Vaughan\u00a0said in the release.\nAs PYMNTS reported Monday (May 15), automation could fill an urgent need in the\u00a0hospitality industry.\nFor one thing, both hotels and restaurants have been experiencing staffing shortages across the board in recent years.\nIn addition, customers are hungry for digital experiences when they travel, with about 3 out of 4 customers saying that they want to use their mobile phones to check in to hotels, pay and order food, and that they believe artificial intelligence (AI) could tailor individualized experiences and amenities for them.\nBoth customer-facing and back-end functionalities lend themselves to automation, with digital tools replacing many processes previously done manually, according to \u201cCan Automation Solve Labor Shortages in the Hospitality Sector?,\u201d the May edition of the \u201cHospitality Tracker\u00ae,\u201d a PYMNTS and LS Retail\u00a0collaboration.\nThe post Elavon Signs Deal to Power Payments on Voice-Activated Hospitality Solution appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2023-05-17T19:52:05-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-17T19:52:05-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/hotel-hospitality-voice-activated.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "artificial intelligence", "Audico", "digital transformation", "elavon", "Healthcare", "hospitality", "News", "payments provider", "The Digital Line", "Voice Activation", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1495873", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/voice-activation/2023/63percent-of-consumers-want-an-ai-powered-voice-assistant-to-help-with-every-day-tasks/", "title": "63% of Consumers Want an AI-Powered Voice Assistant to Help With Every Day Tasks", "content_html": "The next interface set to revolutionize consumer lives is also the oldest: voice.
\nConnected devices are rapidly entering a modern hands-free, voice-driven era, as next-generation advances are made in voice recognition technology and increasingly being brought to market across a wide variety of conversational commerce use cases.
\nThis, as findings from PYMNTS\u2019 landmark March 2023 study, \u201cHow Consumers Want To Live In The Voice Economy,\u201d finds that around four in every ten consumers believe it will be less than five years until voice recognition technology is advanced enough to make speaking to voice assistants comparable to speaking with actual humans.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/voice-tech.png\")
Younger generations, like bridge millennials and millennials, believe that time is even closer \u2014 and may be here already.
\nRead More: Consumers Want to Live in a Conversational Voice Economy
\nMore than one in ten members of the millennial (11.4%) and bridge millennial (10.6%) generational cohorts say that they already consider the experience of interacting with artificially intelligent (AI) voice tools today to be as comparably smart and reliable as talking with a human.
\nFor consumers who want to enhance their everyday routines by making commonplace actions smarter, simpler, and more connected, hands-free voice technologies offer a transformative opportunity.
\nCurrently, 63% of consumers say they would use voice if it were as capable as a person, while 58% would use voice because it is easier and more convenient and 54% because it is faster than typing or using a touchscreen.
\nAround a third of Americans, or 168 million consumers,\u00a0already use voice\u00a0to conduct at least six different everyday tasks like getting information, turning TVs and appliances on and off, and ordering food, groceries, or Ubers.
\nWhat\u2019s more, many consumers say they are willing to pay for advanced, human-like voice services.
\nStill, 12% of the nearly 3,000 consumers surveyed by PYMNTS believe voice technology will never be able to replicate the experience of talking to a living, breathing person.
\nUnderscoring that notion is the fact that voice applications are still primarily single-device-driven and used mainly for simple tasks, a reality that suggests building trust in the accuracy and security of voice-assisted transactions remains a key challenge to driving voice adoption and making it ubiquitous across all commerce channels.
\nFor more information on how voice is helping drive the next evolution of the connected economy, and what opportunities it might hold for your organization, view the findings in PYMNTS landmark free study, \u201cHow Consumers Want To Live In The Voice Economy.\u201d
\n\n
The post 63% of Consumers Want an AI-Powered Voice Assistant to Help With Every Day Tasks appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "The next interface set to revolutionize consumer lives is also the oldest: voice.\nConnected devices are rapidly entering a modern hands-free, voice-driven era, as next-generation advances are made in voice recognition technology and increasingly being brought to market across a wide variety of conversational commerce use cases.\nThis, as findings from PYMNTS\u2019 landmark March 2023 study, \u201cHow Consumers Want To Live In The Voice Economy,\u201d finds that around four in every ten consumers believe it will be less than five years until voice recognition technology is advanced enough to make speaking to voice assistants comparable to speaking with actual humans.\n\nYounger generations, like bridge millennials and millennials, believe that time is even closer \u2014 and may be here already.\nRead More: Consumers Want to Live in a Conversational Voice Economy\nMore than one in ten members of the millennial (11.4%) and bridge millennial (10.6%) generational cohorts say that they already consider the experience of interacting with artificially intelligent (AI) voice tools today to be as comparably smart and reliable as talking with a human.\nFor consumers who want to enhance their everyday routines by making commonplace actions smarter, simpler, and more connected, hands-free voice technologies offer a transformative opportunity.\nCurrently, 63% of consumers say they would use voice if it were as capable as a person, while 58% would use voice because it is easier and more convenient and 54% because it is faster than typing or using a touchscreen.\nAround a third of Americans, or 168 million consumers,\u00a0already use voice\u00a0to conduct at least six different everyday tasks like getting information, turning TVs and appliances on and off, and ordering food, groceries, or Ubers.\nWhat\u2019s more, many consumers say they are willing to pay for advanced, human-like voice services.\nStill, 12% of the nearly 3,000 consumers surveyed by PYMNTS believe voice technology will never be able to replicate the experience of talking to a living, breathing person.\nUnderscoring that notion is the fact that voice applications are still primarily single-device-driven and used mainly for simple tasks, a reality that suggests building trust in the accuracy and security of voice-assisted transactions remains a key challenge to driving voice adoption and making it ubiquitous across all commerce channels.\nFor more information on how voice is helping drive the next evolution of the connected economy, and what opportunities it might hold for your organization, view the findings in PYMNTS landmark free study, \u201cHow Consumers Want To Live In The Voice Economy.\u201d\n \nThe post 63% of Consumers Want an AI-Powered Voice Assistant to Help With Every Day Tasks appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2023-05-02T04:00:34-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-05T13:13:09-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/voice-assistant.jpg", "tags": [ "artificial intelligence", "connected devices", "Connected Economy", "data brief", "digital transformation", "Featured News", "How Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy", "News", "PYMNTS Study", "TechREG", "Voice Activation", "Voice Economy" ] } ] }