How Microsoft’s Cortana Stacks Up Against Siri and Alexa in Terms of Intelligence?

It seems like everyone these days has a voice assistant. Whether you’re using Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, or Microsoft’s Cortana, these handy little programs are always there to help you with the weather forecast, setting timers, and playing your favorite tunes. But how do they stack up against each other in terms of intelligence? Let’s take a closer look.

Apple’s Siri was the first voice assistant on the scene, debuting on the iPhone 4S in 2011. Siri is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) algorithms that allow it to understand and respond to questions and commands in human speech. Siri can perform a variety of tasks, from setting alarms to sending text messages, and is constantly learning new skills as Apple adds updates. However, Siri does have its limitations; for example, it cannot currently perform tasks that require more than one step (such as adding an item to a grocery list and then setting a reminder for when to buy it).

Amazon’s Alexa followed close on Siri’s heels, debuting on the Amazon Echo in 2014. Like Siri, Alexa is powered by AI and NLP algorithms that enable her to understand and respond to questions and commands. Alexa also boasts an ever-growing skill set, thanks to constant updates from Amazon. One area where Alexa excels is in her ability to handle multi-step tasks; for example, she can easily add an item to a grocery list, set a reminder for when to buy it, and even place an order for it online—all with just a few simple commands.

Microsoft’s Cortana debuted in 2014 as well, but unlike Siri and Alexa, she was not originally designed as a digital assistant for home use. Instead, Cortana was developed as a productivity tool for Microsoft Windows users. However, Cortana did eventually make her way into the home via the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker in 2017. Cortana is powered by the same AI and NLP algorithms as her competitors; however, she has one key advantage over them—her deep integration with Microsoft products such as Office 365 and Outlook. This gives her access to a wealth of information that allows her to be more helpful than other voice assistants when it comes to things like scheduling appointments and managing email.

Cortana: Pros – Cortana is able to understand natural language patterns and contextual cues well, making her one of the more accurate voice assistants available. Additionally, Cortana has a wide range of integrations with other Microsoft products, making her a good choice for users who are already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

 

Cortana Cons – One of Cortana’s primary drawbacks is that she is only available on Windows devices. This limits her appeal to users who don’t own a Windows phone or PC. Additionally, Cortana doesn’t have as many skills as some of her competitors; while she can do basic tasks like setting timers and sending texts, she doesn’t have the same breadth of knowledge as Siri or Alexa.

 

Siri: Pros – Siri is available on all Apple devices, giving her a wider reach than some of her competitors. Additionally, Siri has a large number of skills; she can do everything from ordering an Uber to sending a message through WhatsApp. And thanks to Siri’s integration with Apple products like the iPhone and Apple Watch, she is able to offer a seamless user experience.

 

Siri Cons – While Siri is generally accurate when it comes to understanding voice commands, she isn’t always perfect. Additionally, Siri doesn’t always provide the most accurate results when users ask her questions; often, she will provide a web search result instead of an answer directly from Apple’s Knowledge Graph.

 

Alexa: Pros – Alexa has more skills than any other AI assistant currently on the market; there are over 100000 skills available for users to choose from. Additionally, Alexa is constantly learning and adding new skills; since she is powered by artificial intelligence, her capabilities are constantly expanding. Finally, Alexa is available on a wide range of devices beyond just Amazon Echo speakers; she can be found in everything from cars to microwaves.

https://amzn.to/3gBfhbI

 

Alexa Cons – One potential drawback of Alexa is that she is always listening; this could be seen as a privacy concern by some users. Additionally, because Alexa is powered by artificial intelligence, she sometimes makes mistakes when understanding voice commands or providing results to questions.

Apple’s Siri was the first voice assistant on the scene, debuting on the iPhone 4S in 2011. Siri is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) algorithms that allow it to understand and respond to questions and commands in human speech. Siri can perform a variety of tasks, from setting alarms to sending text messages, and is constantly learning new skills as Apple adds updates. However, Siri does have its limitations; for example, it cannot currently perform tasks that require more than one step (such as adding an item to a grocery list and then setting a reminder for when to buy it).

Amazon’s Alexa followed close on Siri’s heels, debuting on the Amazon Echo in 2014. Like Siri, Alexa is powered by AI and NLP algorithms that enable her to understand and respond to questions and commands. Alexa also boasts an ever-growing skill set, thanks to constant updates from Amazon. One area where Alexa excels is in her ability to handle multi-step tasks; for example, she can easily add an item to a grocery list, set a reminder for when to buy it, and even place an order for it online—all with just a few simple commands.

Microsoft’s Cortana debuted in 2014 as well, but unlike Siri and Alexa, she was not originally designed as a digital assistant for home use. Instead, Cortana was developed as a productivity tool for Microsoft Windows users. However, Cortana did eventually make her way into the home via the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker in 2017. Cortana is powered by the same AI and NLP algorithms as her competitors; however, she has one key advantage over them—her deep integration with Microsoft products such as Office 365 and Outlook. This gives her access to a wealth of information that allows her to be more helpful than other voice assistants when it comes to things like scheduling appointments and managing email.

When it comes to raw intelligence, there’s no doubt that Cortana has the edge. While Siri and Alexa are both capable of answering basic questions, Cortana is able to draw on the wealth of knowledge contained within Microsoft’s Bing search engine to provide more comprehensive answers. For example, try asking Siri or Alexa who won the Super Bowl in 2002. Both will likely give you the correct answer of “The New England Patriots.” But ask Cortana the same question, and she’ll not only tell you that the Patriots won, but she’ll also provide a link to the Bing search results for “2002 Super Bowl.”

Cortana is also able to understand follow-up questions and provide relevant information accordingly. For instance, if you ask Cortana how tall Mount Everest is and then follow up with a question about how that compares to the height of Mount Kilimanjaro, she’ll understand that you’re looking for a comparison of the two mountains and provide an answer accordingly. Neither Siri nor Alexa is able to do this.

Finally, Cortana is better at understanding natural language than either Siri or Alexa. This means that she can more easily understand questions that are phrased in a way that sounds like normal human speech. For example, try asking Siri or Alexa to “show me pictures of cats wearing party hats.” Both will likely have trouble understanding this request since it doesn’t use standard grammar. But ask Cortana the same question, and she’ll know exactly what you want and pull up a Bing search results page full of images matching your request.

Conclusion:

So there you have it! All three AI assistants have their pros and cons; it really just comes down to personal preference as to which one you choose. If you’re looking for an assistant that is widely available and has a large number of skills, Siri or Alexa might be the right choice for you. However, if you’re looking for an assistant with deep integrations into Microsoft products, Cortana might be a better option. No matter which assistant you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the convenience and efficiency they provide!

Which voice assistant is the most intelligent? That depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for someone who can handle complex tasks such as online shopping or managing your calendar, then Alexa is probably your best bet. If you’re looking for someone who can help you be more productive at work or school, then Cortana is probably your best choice. And if you’re just looking for someone who can answer basic questions and perform simple tasks, then Siri will probably suffice. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference—so try them all out and see which one you like best!

How to activate Siri on iPhone 13 and 14

Do one of the following: On an iPhone with Face ID: Press and hold the side button. On an iPhone with a Home button: Press and hold the Home button. EarPods: Press and hold the center or call button.

Cortana halo show