Business & Applications

Virtual Assistant

A more capable AI companion that handles complex tasks, scheduling, research, and communication.

Definition

A virtual assistant extends beyond a chatbot to handle multi-step tasks, integrate with external systems, and take actions on behalf of the user. It might book meetings, draft emails, pull data from a CRM, search documents, and summarise findings — all in a single conversation. The emergence of capable LLMs with tool use has made virtual assistants significantly more useful and reliable than the voice assistants of the previous decade.

Related Terms

AI Agent

An AI system that can take actions, use tools, and complete multi-step tasks autonomously.

Chatbot

A conversational AI interface designed to interact with users in natural language.

Tool Use

The ability of an AI to use external tools — calculators, search engines, databases, APIs.

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Disclaimer

This definition is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It represents a general explanation of a technical concept and does not constitute professional, technical, or investment advice. Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving field; terminology, techniques, and capabilities change frequently. Coaley Peak Ltd makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information provided. Nothing on this page should be relied upon as the sole basis for commercial, technical, legal, or investment decisions without independent professional advice.

Document reference: ISO_webpage_knowledge-base_glossary_v1

Last modified: 29 March 2026

Knowledge Base·Business & Applications·Virtual Assistant