Battle of digital assistants

Technology will soon make PAs redundant

Human resource managers use standardised tests to assess applicants for specific roles. For example, a personal assistant (PA) must be able to take dictation and respond to verbal orders. A PA also has to handle appointment scheduling and rescheduling, work flexible hours, learn about the boss’ quirks, and fade discreetly into the background as and when required. Now, a new crop of PAs check all these boxes and offer other competencies as well. What’s more, these PAs are omnipresent and they don’t need salaries, medical insurance or annual vacations. The voice-activated digital intelligent personal assistant (IPA) is now ubiquitous —