Practical agents help out [virtual agent system]

Artificial intelligence probes further into making machines more like humans. Researchers are using technology advances in speech recognition, conversational interactions, decision-making, natural language AI, enhanced data-mining techniques, and emotion to create virtual practical agents. These text, voice, and graphical avatars assist people with various tasks and difficult situations. They can help people better use services, make financial transactions, learn about technology, and even develop interpersonal negotiating skills and cope with stressful situations. Thus virtual agents are improving their ability to identify what we mean when we communicate with them, no matter how we put it.