Let’s go ahead and dive into AI-powered personal assistants without getting too techy. Set up is easier than you think and can up your productivity game. 

 

First Things First

 

You’ll need to decide which team you’re on. If you’re Team Apple, then you roll with Siri. Team Android rolls with Google Assistant, and Gemini to a certain degree since it doesn’t do everything yet, and when Samsung cared, you got to roll with Bixby.  Team Amazon, yea, that Amazon that delivers packages, has Alexa. She even plays on Android. 

 

What’s Next

 

Hit the home button to wake Siri up or just say “Hey Siri.” The Google Squad wakes up by holding the home button or saying “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” and Alexa has her own button to push. 

 

Whichever one you choose, you’ll need to link it to your accounts. This is where the magic happens. Connect your calendar, email, music streaming service, and whatever else floats your boat. The more you connect, the more your assistant can do for you.

 

Personalize It? Yep. 

 

Now, let’s talk about making your assistant truly yours. Spend some time teaching it your preferences. Like your favorite pizza joint, your go-to playlist for workouts, or your preferred route to work. The more it knows about you, the better it can serve you.

 

Now, let’s go ahead and make it truly yours. It requires data. Yes, the same data that you’re protective over. That you constantly battle with. The same one that you hear about that’s been compromised every other day in the “news.” You need it.  Spend some time working with your assistant, teaching it your preferences.  What’s your favorite restaurant? Let Siri know.  You got a favorite dish? Let Google Assistant or Gemini know.  Got a favorite show on Amazon Video Prime? Alexa. 

 

Remember, these assistants are pretty smart, but they’re not mind readers). So, don’t be shy about telling them exactly what you want. Be specific, be clear, and don’t be afraid to rephrase if they don’t get it the first time.

 

Fun?

 

Yep, you can have fun with them. They do way more than set reminders. You joke with them, play games with them, or they can even help with research. Ok, that’s the blerd in me coming out. But you know what I mean. Just get creative with what you need from them and explore all their features. 

 

It’s not hard to set up your assistant, but it can streamline your life. It’s helped me a lot, especially with my ADHD. I haven’t missed 96% of the birthdays of people I know in years and whenever I get ready to hit the road, it already knows the music I want to hear.