According to Microsoft’s vice chair and president Brad Smith, “The future of the world is digital, and businesses of all sizes need to transform fast.”
That means you should be looking out for new ways to streamline your operations and elevate customer experiences.
Right now, virtual assistant services are becoming the new trend and the go-to move to achieve both. It has boomed worldwide and evolved significantly so that we have different types of virtual assistants in the market—an AI assistant vs. a human virtual assistant.
What are the unique benefits offered by these assistants? Is a virtual assistant better than an AI assistant?
Let’s figure out the right virtual assistant for your business needs by exploring the major differences between the two.
AI Assistant vs. Human Virtual Assistant: In Comparison
As we have mentioned, there are two prominent assistants taking the business world by storm today: the AI virtual assistant and the human virtual assistant.
Although both AIs and human VAs thrive in the digital sphere, they could’ve been more different from each other.
Human Virtual Assistant: The Human Touch
A human virtual assistant is someone who offers business-related services on a contractual basis offshore. They offer a list of administrative services such as data entry, appointment scheduling and phone answering.
While human remote assistants mostly handle office management chores, they also cover specialised tasks such as graphic design and content writing.
Needless to say, the demands of work dictate the various responsibilities of a virtual assistant.
Working with a Human Virtual Assistant
Safe to say that there are no tasks that a human VA can’t do.
Humans exhibit deep learning and understanding. They are graduates from major universities and are methodical. With their skills and experience, they can brainstorm ideas, strategize and create something groundbreaking.
Even though human remote workers are not physically present, being human, gifted them the entire functional capacities of a live person who can meet your needs with genuineness.
Here’s a list of the most popular human virtual assistant roles:
- Digital Marketing Assistant
- E-Commerce Site Operator
- Virtual Assistant Bookkeeper
- Virtual Administrative Assistant
- Virtual Receptionist
- Customer Support Virtual Assistant
- Find out how to hire a virtual assistant in 2024.
AI Assistants: Convenience and Speed
Artificial intelligence or AI virtual assistant is a machine powered by natural language processing that can think and respond like humans. Through a software programme on your device, you can voice control your AI virtual assistant to take requests.
Working with an AI Assistant
AI assistants run with the use of data. Despite their speed and precision, what they can do is limited to the algorithms set in their programme.
Basically, every task that you need to accomplish, like setting reminders for an event or generating content, is a voice away. Human supervision is not needed to manage these tasks; your smart AI assistant will work its magic at a speed—just say the “wake words,” “Hey, Googleor “Alexa.”
Here’s where AI assistants are at an advantage:
When it comes to speed, human virtual assistants are no match for AI assistants. They can gather information or write a blog post in the blink of an eye—yes, faster than a professional writer.
AI assistants are machines. Unlike a human assistant who needs to eat and rest, AIs can continuously work 24 hours straight without fail. This means that time constraints will never be an issue when executing tasks.
Handling many tasks at once with efficiency is one aspect that a smart assistant excels at. Even better, AIs can do it in real-time, like analysing data, which is crucial in gaining insight into your customer's buying patterns and behaviour.
So, Can You Use AI as a Personal Assistant?
Yes, you can. AIs have been keeping the daily office management of most companies afloat. This cutting-edge technology has redefined how we do the work, and everyone wants a piece of it.
Here are the different ways you can use AI assistants for personal productivity:
- Calendar Management
- Design Travel Itinerary
- Research and Analysis
- Setting Reminders and Follow-Ups
- Streamline Collaboration
- Address Every Office Management Concerns
ChatGPT: The AI Assistant that Took the World by Storm
ChatGPT is a human-like virtual agent. It’s perhaps the most popular assistant in the market powered by AI technology and for good reason.
This AI-driven solution can automate various tasks and can provide personalised recommendations in an instant. Thanks to its expansive language model, ChatGPT can interact with its users like a real person via voice command.
ChatGPT impresses with limitless possibilities for its users, which include the following:
ChatGPT can crack humorous wits and help you be the ultimate comedian of the party. Or you can use it to write comedy scripts at work.
Are you applying for a job? ChatGPT can help you stand out at the early stages of your application, writing your resumes or cover letters in a heartbeat.
If you have math problems at school, this AI chatbot can guide you through complicated mathematical equations.
Yes, chatbots have no emotional intelligence; however, they can still talk to you about relationship problems when all your friends are busy at work. Go ahead and give it a try!
Will AI Replace Human Virtual Assistants?
Now that we have ChatGPT and company, are AIs taking over virtual assistant jobs? Nah.
As brilliant as these AI tools are, there are several areas of your business that AI can’t match up to a real person.
A human virtual assistant takes virtual services to the next level by incorporating the human touch. Unlike an AI assistant, humans have emotional intelligence that allows them to comprehend nuances in interactions and complex emotions.
This means they are capable of engaging in meaningful discussions and providing tailored support to individual matters.
A real person with real experiences and continues to learn excels in activities that require creativity and critical thinking. They can solve complex problems and manage intricate customer interactions.
Human VAs can adapt to changing circumstances and foster healthy long-term relationships with customers, grounded in trust and loyalty.
Finding Balance in Your Assistants’ Collaborative Intelligence
AI virtual assistants offer convenience, speed and efficiency. On one hand, a human virtual assistant impresses with the human touch, allowing personal conversations and connections.
For any company looking to find success in a business environment tight with competition, harnessing the best of what an AI and human VA can offer is the smartest move.
A mixture of both, or should we say, a hybrid approach to doing things, can produce exceptional operational efficiency, rich in growth opportunities.
How does a hybrid model work?
Your AI assistant deals with repetitive tasks, giving your human virtual assistants more time to play complex roles and provide high-touch engagements.
This is the approach that maximises productivity and efficiency, shortening response times and ensuring superb customer service. It’s the speed and precision of an AI paired with a human assistant’s individualised support.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Virtual Assistant an AI?
AI virtual assistants are conversational AIs. Powered by natural language processing and machine learning, it’s a programme that can simulate conversations with its human users. They can process and analyse human language, which allows you to communicate with these machines effectively.
What Separates ChatGPT from a Regular Chatbot?
ChatGPT is designed with natural language processing to allow users to make dialogues and requests. It has a much-advanced processing that can hold a vast array of personalised responses to commands.
On the other hand, a chatbot is a software application designed to mimic human conversations through spoken or written interactions. Run by data, you can teach chatbots to perform simple tasks. However, their responses are pre-composed and might be insubstantial.
The deep learning model has allowed ChatGPT to generate responses more conversationally, as if talking to a real person, unlike regular chatbots that rely on predefined scripts.
Embracing the Synergy of AIs and Humans!
So, which assistant should you hire to fill in your business needs?
To know the most suitable assistant for the role, evaluate your business plan, your strategies and where your goals lie.
While AI assistants and human virtual assistants serve different purposes, both, without a doubt, contribute to the overall efficiency and speedy growth of your organisation.
So, instead of choosing one over the other, why not embrace the synergy between the two?You can harness the power of both to make promising results—automate your tedious tasks while leveraging the human touch to build meaningful connections.
Sounds like a smart plan?