Using AI Assistants for Typing Could Be the Optimal Solution

The Rise of Typing to AI Assistants: A Shift in User Preferences

There’s no denying that artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made significant strides in recent years. From voice-activated AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, to smart devices that can control our homes and perform various tasks, these advancements have transformed the way we interact with technology. However, one issue remains: the social discomfort of speaking to AI assistants in public.

The widespread adoption of AI gadgets has raised questions about the appropriateness of using voice commands in public spaces. Many individuals feel self-conscious when talking to their AI assistants outside their homes and prefer to avoid it altogether. This aversion to speaking in public has led to a growing demand for alternative methods of communication. Fortunately, major tech companies, like Apple, are listening to consumer feedback and introducing features that allow users to type to their AI assistants instead.

Apple’s recent announcement during the WWDC keynote that iOS 18 will feature a typing option for Siri was a game-changer. While it is already possible to type to Siri using accessibility settings, iOS 18 embraces this feature, making it even more intuitive and accessible. Users will now be able to double-tap the bottom of the screen to bring up a Siri keyboard, along with quick suggestions that can be tapped instead of typed out in full.

Typing instead of speaking to AI assistants offers numerous advantages. Despite improvements in voice recognition technology, it can still be challenging to communicate naturally with AI assistants. Users may find themselves altering their pitch and tone when using wake words and carefully crafting their queries to ensure clarity. This self-consciousness is only magnified in public settings where background noise and distractions make it difficult for AI devices to accurately understand spoken commands.

The introduction of smart glasses, like the Ray-Ban Meta, has further highlighted the limitations of voice commands in noisy environments. Users testing these smart glasses often encountered difficulties, with the AI feature failing to hear their commands properly. This frustration can lead individuals to abandon voice commands completely and resort to using their phones instead – the antithesis of what AI hardware aims to achieve.

The social dimensions of using voice-controlled assistants in public cannot be overlooked. Research conducted by PwC in 2018 found that 74 percent of consumers preferred to use voice assistants at home, describing the act of using them in public as “weird.” Lack of trust in the accuracy of voice assistants was also identified as a major obstacle, with users skeptical that their commands would be correctly understood. This skepticism further deters individuals from experimenting with voice-controlled assistants in public spaces, where they may be subject to judgment or ridicule.

Aside from the social considerations, typing to AI assistants also offers a greater degree of privacy. Users may not want others to overhear their interactions with their devices, whether it’s playing a song or sending a text message. Having the option to type queries and commands allows users to keep their activities discreet, avoiding any unwanted attention or judgments.

To be clear, there are instances where speaking to an AI assistant in public is necessary or even beneficial. Voice commands can be invaluable for individuals with limited hand mobility or while driving a car. However, providing users with various modes of communication allows AI assistants to seamlessly adapt to individuals’ preferences, instead of imposing a single paradigm on everyone.

It is crucial for AI technology to evolve with user needs and preferences. As voice recognition continues to improve and societal attitudes shift, there may come a time when conversing with a chatbot on the street becomes the norm. However, that day is not today. Until then, the option to type to AI assistants, like Siri, provides a valuable alternative for users who feel uncomfortable speaking to their devices in public.

In conclusion, the introduction of the typing feature for AI assistants, such as Siri in iOS 18, marks a significant step towards accommodating user preferences and enhancing user experiences with AI technology. Allowing individuals to type their commands instead of speaking in public spaces addresses social discomfort and promotes privacy. By embracing multiple modes of communication, AI technology can seamlessly integrate into our lives without imposing new paradigms. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for developers to prioritize user preferences and cater to their diverse needs, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and user-centric AI ecosystem.



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