Digital Assistants

Digital assistants are AI-based tools that use natural language processing to perform tasks, such as answering questions and controlling devices. Examples include Siri, Alexa, Cortana, and Google Assistant, which work with a variety of devices. They learn from user interactions to provide personalized suggestions and can integrate with other apps and services. While convenient, digital assistants raise privacy and security concerns. Overall, they have revolutionized how we interact with technology, making it more natural and efficient.

Tech Kits are part of the walk-in service provided by Innovate Labs. There are three levels of difficulty meant for different users and their experience with the different technologies. Many of the Tech Kits build off each other as you progress.

Beginner

Introducing Digital Assistants

Length: 60 Minutes

Description: Digital assistants, also known as virtual assistants are voice activated software that can understand and carry out electric tasks for you. Rather than opening apps on your device to perform various tasks, the digital assistant on your device can do it for you, just by speaking to them. For example, you can tell your phone to make a phone call, and the digital assistant will carry out this task for you. This tech kit will explore the various digital assistants we have in the Innovate Lab.

Intermediate

Alexa Skills with Blueprint

Length: 60 Minutes

Description: Alexa is Amazon's voice controlled assistant. You can not only interact with Alexa through its built in knowledge and tasks, but you can also create your own skill to interact with. The Alexa Skills Kit is a software development framework that allows you to code your own skill to add to your Alexa. Example skills include trivia games, flashcards, fact generators, etc.

Advanced

Using the Amazon Developer Console

Length: 45 Minutes

Description: The Amazon Developer Console is an interface used by app developers to make their services compatible with all Amazon skill-based devices like Alexa. In this tech kit, you will learn the development process and produce your own fact sharing skill that will be ready to upload to an Amazon IoT device.