This month, we've focused the voice technology community's efforts to combat COVID-19.
Voice and Tech Come Together to Curve COVID-19
Throughout this month, we have seen a number of research operations geared towards using voice technology and AI to combat COVID-19.
In the US, Amazon, Apple, and Google have all developed informational content for their voice assistants based on CDC guidelines. Amazon and Apple, have both launched self-guided questionnaires dedicated to screening COVID-19.
On the chatbot side of conversational AI, the CDC and Microsoft have developed an AI-powered "self-checker" that helps people screen themselves for COVID-19. Orbita has also come out with an interactive voice and text chatbot as a solution for healthcare organizations seeking to educate the public and assist in diagnosis and care.
On the cutting edge of research, there are several companies developing COVID-19 detection via voice analysis. A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and other institutions have released an early version of an app that they hope can detect COVID-19 via voice analysis. In Israel, voice tech startup Vocalis Health and the Defense Ministry have partnered to find a "voice fingerprint" to help identify infection.
Amazon, Apple, and Google Remove Content in a Effort to Stop the Spread of Misinformation
Earlier this month, Amazon, Apple, and Google blocked and removed a number of unofficial coronavirus apps from their app stores in an effort to ensure credibility and curve the spread of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only data from recognized entities such as government organizations, health NGOs, and other credentialed medical or educational institutions will be allowed. Given the urgency of this matter, the review process for submitted apps on this subject will be expedited. Read Apple's statement
Read Voicebot AI's articles on Alexa and Google
Radio Consumption Rises Amid COVID-19 Pandemic -- Smart Speakers see a 10% Increase
A new report by Nielsen reveals that as more people stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we see an increase in their consumption of radio. Their survey of 1,000 adults in the US found a 28% increase in listenership with 10% of respondents saying they use smart speakers for radio listening more. “In a time of heightened uncertainty and disrupted routines, consumers are turning to radio as a trusted source of information and community connection, mirroring patterns observed during past regional and national disasters and weather events,” said Brad Kelly, Managing Director, Nielsen Audio.Are you planning to launch a new Alexa Skill or Google Action? Talk to us now about test scheduling to make sure your voice app is ready to delight from the first invocation. Contact sales@pulselabs.ai to request a demo or schedule a testing engagement.
Pulse Labs on Seattle Bootcamps's Seattle Startups to Watch in 2020
Pulse Labs was one of the showcased startups in Seattle Bootcamps's "to watch" list. Congrats to all of the startups included! For more read Seattle Bootcamps
Save-the-Date
Thursday, April 16, 2020 from 5 - 8 pm PDT: Join the Women in Voice virtually for Live Demo Day: WIV Seattle and see our very own Amy Farley talk about best practices and the latest in voice app development. Free event via Zoom. Register today!
COVID-19 Voice First Webinars
The COVID-19 Pandemic: Can Voice First Technology Help?
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Voice First Health hosted an online virtual conference to discuss how voice first technology will revolutionize our approach to illnesses and diseases, including the current coronavirus worldwide pandemic. Their speakers lineup included: Terri Fisher, MD (Founder, Voice First Health); Bret Kinsella (Founder, Editor, CEO, Voicebot.ai); Shmuel Ur, PhD (Voca.ai)
Tal Wenderow (CEO, Vocalis Health); and Kristi Ebong (SVP Corporate, Orbita). For more see Voice First Health
Coronavirus, Tech and the Voice Industry
On Thursday, March 19, 2020 Voicebot AI hosted a 30-minute panel discussion on the impact of the coronavirus on tech and the voice industry followed by a 15-minute Q & A session. Their panelists included: Bret Kinsella of Voicebot.ai, Rani Molla of Recode, Ben Fox Rubin of CNET, and David Watkins of Strategy Analytics. For more see Voicebot.AI
