Voice Technology news and trends

Priceline’s New AI Voice Tech Allows Conversational, Real-Time Bookings
artificial intelligence // October 07, 2024

Priceline’s recent integration of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice technology into its booking system signals how the technology is changing the way travelers plan and purchase trips. The travel company updated its Penny chatbot with AI-powered voice technology, using OpenAI’s GPT-4 API for real-time conversations. This...

Taco Bell Goes All-in on AI Drive-Thrus as McDonald’s Steps Back
artificial intelligence // August 07, 2024

By year’s end, hundreds of Taco Bell drive-thrus could be taking orders without a human on the other end of the speaker. Yum Brands’ ambitious deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) at its flagship Mexican-style fast food chain signals a potential sea change in how America...

Report: Amazon Nearing Launch of Alexa Paid Tier
Amazon // July 23, 2024

Amazon reportedly plans to launch a paid tier of Alexa as soon as this month. The paid tier will offer a version of the voice assistant that has been dubbed “Remarkable Alexa,” is built on a new tech stack and offers greater capabilities, The Wall...

McDonald’s Pauses Drive-Thru AI Chatbot Test Despite Growth in Voice Economy
artificial intelligence // June 17, 2024

After two years of testing, McDonald’s has ended its partnership with IBM to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drive-thru system. The collaboration, which aimed to change the fast-food ordering process by replacing human workers with voice-activated chatbots, had been a closely watched experiment in the...

Interviews & Exclusives
No More Clicks: New AI Lets Consumers Shop Online With Voice Commands

December 05, 2024
A new research paper reveals artificial intelligence (AI) systems using large language models can now effectively control computer interfaces through natural interaction. These agents can autonomously navigate software, complete tasks and manipulate interfaces as humans do. “This technology will change our relationship to software,” Joan Palmiter Bajorek, CEO and founder of Clarity AI, told PYMNTS. […]

Waiting for Alexa: When Will Amazon Strike Up the AI Conversation?

May 22, 2024
Someday — and it may be soon — conversations with Amazon’s automated voice assistant Alexa may cost money. Amazon has been clear about its intentions to charge a subscription for a tiered Alexa service...

Thirty Percent of US Millennials Use a Voice Assistant to Pay Bills

October 24, 2023
The Voice Economy is gaining momentum as consumers turn to voice technology for a variety of tasks.  The most common tasks performed with this technology include watching TV or playing...

Voice Tech Adoption Uneven as Consumers Aim to Balance Convenience With Trust

October 06, 2023
Consumers today are increasingly seeking smarter, simpler, and more connected routines, and voice technology has the potential to fulfill these needs. However, the adoption of voice technology remains uneven as...

Quick Reads
Report: Amazon Nearing Launch of Alexa Paid Tier

July 23, 2024
Amazon reportedly plans to launch a paid tier of Alexa as soon as this month. The paid tier will offer a version of the voice assistant that has been dubbed “Remarkable Alexa,” is built on a new tech stack and offers greater capabilities, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday (July 23), citing unnamed sources. […]

SoundHound Pays Off $100 Million Debt After Lender Agreement 

June 10, 2024
SoundHound AI has reached an agreement to prepay its $100 million debt in full. The voice artificial intelligence (AI) firm announced that agreement with its lenders Monday (June 10), saying it substantially lowers...

Apple AI Could Produce ‘Really Really Good’ Version of Siri

May 05, 2024
What if Apple’s voice assistant Siri “was really, really, really good?” That question is at the heart of much of the tech giant’s artificial intelligence (AI) research, according to a report...

Walmart Experiments With AI and AR to Enhance Shopping Experience

October 06, 2023
Walmart is embracing emerging technologies to enhance the shopping experience for its customers. With the aim of making shopping more convenient, Walmart is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR),...