Alexa and Cortana set to join forces

AMAZON’S Alexa and Microsoft’s Cortana will start talking to each other in a first of its kind alliance of rival digital assistants, the companies said on Wednesday.

Amazon Echo device users will be able to ask Alexa to bring in Cortana as a “guest” to tend to tasks such as booking meetings or reading work email.

Meanwhile, those with devices powered by Windows 10 software will be able to have Cortana bring in Alexa for tasks such as controlling smart devices in homes or, of course, ordering items from Amazon.

“There are going to be multiple successful intelligent agents, each with access to different sets of data and with different specialized skill areas,” Amazon fonder and chief Jeff Bezos said in a statement announcing the digital assistants were becoming friends.

“Together, their strengths will complement each other and provide customers with a richer and even more helpful experience.”

Alexa has some 20,000 “skills” created by third-party developers.

Microsoft chief Satya Nadella has prioritised making the company’s software and services available from the broad array of devices people use to connect to the internet.

The latest version of Windows operating software was crafted with that vision in mind.

The alliance comes in the face of competition from Google and Amazon, which have invested heavily in AI infused digital assistants to enhance their offerings.