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Virtual Assistant Stories

Australian Stories

Virtual Assistant stories

CommBank rolls out Microsoft-built customer service AI
Software-as-a-Service

CommBank rolls out Microsoft-built customer service AI

The bank says the platform is already resolving more enquiries end to end, as it replaces legacy systems across 2 million monthly conversations.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Virtual Assistant stories

OpenAI launches GPT-Live for ChatGPT Voice globally
AI Ethics & Governance

OpenAI launches GPT-Live for ChatGPT Voice globally

ChatGPT users worldwide will get more natural spoken exchanges, as the new full-duplex system listens and talks at the same time.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
OpenAI expands ChatGPT scheduled tasks with new hub
Software-as-a-Service

OpenAI expands ChatGPT scheduled tasks with new hub

ChatGPT users can now manage reminders and recurring checks from a single sidebar page, as OpenAI folds Pulse into scheduled tasks.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 19th Jun 2026
AI saves workers 11 hours, but botsitting eats gains
Software-as-a-Service

AI saves workers 11 hours, but botsitting eats gains

Despite productivity gains, workers are losing much of AI's time savings to checking, fixing errors and juggling multiple tools.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Wed, 17th Jun 2026
G-P launches AI platform for global hiring workflows
Digital Transformation

G-P launches AI platform for global hiring workflows

The platform is aimed at HR teams seeking faster cross-border hiring and lower compliance risk across more than 180 countries.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 10th Jun 2026
Quant & IBM launch Ava at Fortitude Re to cut calls
Digital Transformation

Quant & IBM launch Ava at Fortitude Re to cut calls

The rollout has cut average handling time by three minutes and lifted first-call resolution to 86% at Fortitude Re.

By Sean Mitchell • 8 min read • Sat, 6th Jun 2026
Microsoft launches Scout personal agent for 365 work
Data Protection

Microsoft launches Scout personal agent for 365 work

The new tool can schedule meetings, flag delays and act within existing permissions as Microsoft pushes autonomous software into everyday office apps.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Fri, 5th Jun 2026
Siemens launches Intelligence Centre X for industrial AI
Manufacturing

Siemens launches Intelligence Centre X for industrial AI

The new software aims to move industrial AI beyond pilots by tying together data, workflows and governance for faster operational decisions.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Fri, 5th Jun 2026
Google unveils Gemini Spark agent & Omni video model
Generative AI

Google unveils Gemini Spark agent & Omni video model

Growth to more than 900 million monthly users underscores Google's push to make Gemini a persistent AI assistant, not just a chatbot.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Thu, 21st May 2026
Google unveils new AI tools across Workspace & Gemini
Personalisation

Google unveils new AI tools across Workspace & Gemini

Users will be able to draft emails, edit images and summon an AI agent as Google broadens paid access across Workspace and Gemini.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Thu, 21st May 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Virtual Assistant stories

DBS adds agentic AI to virtual assistants for customers
Digital Transformation

DBS adds agentic AI to virtual assistants for customers

Banking tasks for millions of customers can now be completed in one chat as DBS upgrades its virtual assistants with agentic AI.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
Tāmaki Health launches AI coach for primary care patients
Digital Transformation

Tāmaki Health launches AI coach for primary care patients

Patients at selected Tāmaki Health clinics can now get round-the-clock coaching between appointments as demand for primary care rises.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month
Bank of America adds AI to EricaAssist for faster calls
Fintech

Bank of America adds AI to EricaAssist for faster calls

Call-centre staff at the bank are handling enquiries nearly a minute faster as new generative AI prompts cut call times and speed up guidance.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
TBC Uzbekistan named among world's top fintechs again
Digital Transformation

TBC Uzbekistan named among world's top fintechs again

Its return to CNBC and Statista's fintech ranking underscores TBC Uzbekistan's growing influence in a fast-expanding digital banking market.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
How this Ont. town is using AI from bylaw to trash pickup
Customer Relationship Management

How this Ont. town is using AI from bylaw to trash pickup

Data silos and staff time are being cut as the township uses AI agents to speed calculations, analyse waste and answer residents online.

By Jake MacAndrew • 4 min read • Fri, 26th Jun 2026
NatWest launches AI ethics accreditation for all staff
Data Protection

NatWest launches AI ethics accreditation for all staff

With AI tools spreading through the bank, 60,000 NatWest staff will now be trained to spot ethical risks and handle them responsibly.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Jun 2026
Lloyds to create 1,000 AI roles as agentic use grows
Data Analytics

Lloyds to create 1,000 AI roles as agentic use grows

Fraud checks and customer service will be sped up as Lloyds Banking Group adds more than 1,000 AI jobs and retrains staff.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Jun 2026