Virtual Assistant stories

Vodafone and Google Cloud widen their SMB push with new Gemini-based concierge and managed cyber defences, starting in Germany and Greece.

Citi Wealth rolls out AI-powered assistant for US clients, with Google DeepMind avatar tech set to support advisors on wealth platforms.

Citi Wealth rolls out AI assistant Citi Sky for US clients, aiming to blend adviser support with Google-powered voice and video features.

Tata Steel deploys more than 300 AI agents with Google Cloud to speed up maintenance, customer service and back-office work worldwide.

Xero unveils AI-native finance platform and JAX assistant to cut admin for small firms, with accountants and bookkeepers also in line for gains.

Emergent's Wingman promises an always-on digital assistant that can juggle email, calendars and chat, while pausing for approval on bigger actions.

Workday launches Sana, a conversational AI hub to search, act and automate workflows across its HR, finance tools and third-party apps.

RingCentral debuts AIR Pro voice-first AI agents with no-code tools, aiming to move enterprises beyond basic IVR to scalable automation.

Finastra launches OperatorAssist AI to cut banks' payment investigation work, promising 20-30% faster exception handling and reduced costs.

Samsung is adding Perplexity as a system-level agent on upcoming Galaxy flagships, deepening its shift to a multi-assistant AI strategy.

RingCentral integrates OpenAI's GPT-5.2 to power live AI voice calls, launching new assistants to support customers and employees in real time.

Virtual Spotter makes US its biggest market as lean direct debit model cuts gym admin by 65 hours and AUD $1.4k a month per client.

Pinewood.AI launches Pi autonomous agent and Seez's Miles assistant at NADA as it stakes its claim in the US and Canadian dealer market.

Newo.ai and IONOS have launched a plug-and-play AI receptionist, promising SMEs 24/7 call handling, missed lead recovery and quick setup.

Foyer has launched Thine, an iOS “ambient AI” that quietly learns from in-person chats to nudge users on decisions and priorities.

KTC and Consult Red unveil AI Media Station, a Qualcomm-powered proof-of-concept bringing private edge AI control to living room media hubs.

Zoom unveils AI Companion 3.0, adding agentic workflows, a browser hub for work orchestration and standalone access from USD $10 a month.

UTS has developed CASPER AI, an assistant using AI to detect cyber threats and guide users and organisations in secure, compliant responses.

Luware launches Nimbus Companion, an AI orchestration tool within Microsoft Teams that supports human agents during complex customer interactions.

Red Hat launches Developer Lightspeed, an AI-driven toolset boosting app modernisation and coding efficiency within integrated developer workflows.