How to develop an AI Virtual Assistant App like Cortana?

AI virtual assistant apps have become a significant part of our lives today. From getting answers to queries to helping with household activities, both professionals and common people use these intelligent assistants. Considering their popularity and growing market, businesses are investing in apps like Cortana.  

Fei-Fei Li, a Chinese-American computer scientist has also stated that-

“Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for human intelligence; it is a tool to amplify human creativity and ingenuity.”– Fei-Fei Li

It denotes how important Artificial Intelligence is going to be in the future. In layman’s words, virtual assistants have decreased the efforts put by us to find anything or to manage specific tasks. These tasks can range from reading the news; scheduling meetings, managing electronic devices, and many more.

If you are also looking to develop a Cortana-like app for Android or iOS, this below detailed guide will help you with insights like how to build a virtual assistant app, required features & tech trends, and benefits. Let’s dive into the details:

What is Microsoft Cortana?

Cortana is a leading virtual assistant app, launched by Microsoft in 2014. It was originally developed for Windows Phone 8.1 and then, added to other Windows devices (Windows 10 & 11) and operating systems. This intelligent assistant helps to manage tasks, including, scheduling meetings and setting reminders, answering queries, checking weather updates, operating home electronics, and opening applications.

This virtual assistant enabled by text and voice uses the Microsoft Bing web search engine to perform every task.

Before developing an AI virtual assistant app like Cortana, look at the current market size and growth:

• The intelligent virtual assistant market size is projected at USD 19.60 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 80.72 billion by 2030, at a 32.72% CAGR during 2025-2030.
• The global intelligent virtual assistant market size was valued at USD 2.48 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a 24.3% CAGR between 2023 and 2030.
• The global intelligent virtual assistant market size was esteemed at USD 16.08 billion in 2023, projected for USD 20.21 billion in 2024. It is anticipated to reach around USD 178.80 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 24% from 2024 to 2034. 

• The global intelligent virtual assistant market was calculated at USD 10.83 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow from USD 12.59 billion in 2025 to USD 41.73 billion by 2033 at a 17.9% CAGR between 2025 and 2033.

Required Features for AI Virtual Assistant Apps like Cortana

Businesses must be aware of the essential features to include in AI virtual assistant app development to stay competitive in the market. Following are some basic and advanced features to consider for an app like Cortana:

1. Basic Search Function

AI chatbot development lets businesses deliver an augmented user experience via efficient search functionality. It helps users retrieve exact and relevant data from the internet.

2. Multi-Language Support

Apps like Cortana must have this feature to serve a global audience. It will let users search their queries in their native language, ensuring easy interaction with the assistant.

3. Smart Device Control

AI virtual assistant apps can be easily combined with the smart home and IoT devices, allowing users to manage the smart ecosystem via voice commands.

4. Task Management

Virtual assistant AI apps make daily tasks like setting reminders; managing queries, etc. easier for users, leveraging efficient productivity tools. It augments personal efficiency and daily planning.

5. Deep-learning based Personalization

This feature assists in continuously learning from users’ interactions, leveraging deep learning algorithms. Over time, it will help with recommended content, personalized responses, and user need prediction based on past data.   

6. AR Integration

Augmented Reality-enabled AI virtual assistants enhance user experiences by covering virtual aspects in the real world. It is majorly used in industries like healthcare, education, retail, etc.

7. Advanced Sentiment Analysis

Virtual assistant AI app integrated with advanced sentiment analysis can detect users’ moods depending on their text input, voice tone, and speech patterns to respond more empathetically.

8. Offline Mode Support

Whether you are developing a Cortana-like app for Android or iOS, it should function offline to provide a consistent experience to users. It will ensure reliability in areas with unstable or no internet connectivity.

Technology Trends for AI Virtual Assistant App Development

While developing an AI virtual assistant app, you must consider the latest technology trends and tools to make the app competitive. Here are some of the advanced technologies to integrate in creating an app like Cortana:  

– Conversational AI and NLP:

Conversational AI integrated with virtual assistants enables users to understand, interpret, and respond to human queries logically, while Natural Language Processing helps to improve communication by identifying context, sentence structure, and intent.

For a more human-like experience, you can use AI models like BERT, GPT-4, and T5 power chatbots and voice assistants.   

– Machine Learning (ML):

ML algorithms implemented with chatbots or virtual assistants help them to learn from continuous user interactions. It analyzes user preferences based on their history and behavioral data to become more adaptive and provide them with relevant recommendations.

For example: If you ask for news updates at a specific time for a few days, the assistant will start showing you updates on his own.

– Speech Recognition:

Advanced speech recognition technology lets AI assistants translate words into text accurately. It will allow users to voice commands and hands-free interaction with multilingual support. Some popular speech recognition APIs comprise Amazon Transcribe, Google Speech-to-Text, and IBM Watson Speech.

– Cloud Services: 

Cloud computing solutions is significant to collect, process, and evaluate enormous datasets needed for AI assistants. Moreover, cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud provide flexible infrastructure, allowing real-time data access, smooth updates, and cross-device synchronization.  

– Dialog Flow or Bot Frameworks:

Microsoft Bot Framework, Google DialogFlow, and Rasa are such platforms beneficial in creating conversational AI apps efficiently. These advanced frameworks deliver pre-built NLP models, chatbot flow management, and intent recognition.

Dialogflow can be used by businesses for AI virtual assistant app development to manage queries on a mobile app or website.

– Emotion Intelligence: 

Emotion AI combined with AI assistants is used to identify and respond to different user emotions using text sentiment, voice tone, or facial expressions. It helps to provide better human-like interactions, making AI more empathetic.

If a user sounds intense or stressed, the assistant will suggest soothing music or relaxation exercises.    

– IoT & Smart Home Integration:

AI virtual assistant apps like Cortana can be integrated with smart home devices to help users manage them via voice commands only. These tasks include security camera activation, thermostats, light control, and other appliances. Further, IoT connectivity improves convenience and automation.

– Low-code & No-code AI Development:

There is a growing demand for low code mobile app development, allowing businesses to create virtual assistants at a rapid speed without any in-depth coding knowledge. Additionally, platforms like Botpress, IBM Watson Assistant, etc. enable them for faster prototyping and deployment.  

Benefits to Get from AI Virtual Assistant App Development

Still, finding that why these AI virtual assistant apps are becoming so crucial in 2025? Check out the below advantages describing the ways how app like Cortana is transforming businesses:

1. Flawless Hands-free Interactions

Users can interact with AI virtual assistant apps via voice commands, not required to write anything. It enables them to go for hands-free control of smart devices, manage daily tasks, and search queries. Hands-free operations are making these assistants more useful for professionals and individuals with disabilities.   

2. Higher Efficiency and productivity

AI virtual assistant apps are beneficial for automating repetitive tasks, enabling users to emphasize other essential activities. These apps like Cortana are able to manage emails, scheduling, and real-time data retrieval, improving workplace productivity via advanced features.

3. Smart Home & IoT Integration

AI assistants can be integrated with smart home devices, improving security and convenience. With the perfect combination of AI and IoT, users can have full control over appliances, lighting, and security systems, while instructing them via voice. In the future, the use of AI in smart homes will continue to grow.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making

With the help of AI virtual assistants and chatbots, it is easier for businesses to get data insights based on market trends and user behavior. Enterprises can use this valuable data to improve operations and deliver personalized customer experience. However, it can highly impact your AI virtual assistant or AI chatbot development cost.

Use Cases of AI Virtual Assistant Apps like Cortana

Multiple industries are adopting virtual or voice AI assistants to streamline their operations and boost productivity. Here, we are defining two major use cases of AI virtual assistant apps like Cortana. Have a look:  

• Healthcare Industry: AI-based Virtual Healthcare Assistant

AI virtual assistant apps are transforming the healthcare industry and its operations by providing 24/7 patient care, rapid diagnosis, flexible health assistance, and appointment scheduling. Healthcare professionals are integrating EHR (electronic health records) and telemedicine platforms to allow flawless interaction between doctors and patients.

Benefits:

• Medication reminders and health alerts
• Symptom checking and medical guidance
• Support for Elderly and chronic diseases

• eCommerce and Retail: AI-powered Customer Support Assistant

AI virtual assistant apps are revolutionizing the internal operations in the eCommerce industry by providing round-the-clock customer support, instant services, etc. via voice or chat interactions. These assistants help to track orders, manage queries, process refunds or returns, and offer relevant recommendations.

Benefits:

• Enhanced customer engagement
• Reduces the need for human agents
• Quick and accurate responses to customers

Also Read: How to Develop a AI Writing Assistance App

The process of developing an AI Virtual Assistant App like Cortana

Let’s navigate to the process of how to develop an AI virtual assistant app like Cortana. This process includes multiple steps and every step needs to be done carefully to build a proficient app. Check out the steps below:

• While acquiring AI web or mobile app development services, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research about the market and competitors. It helps to define the app’s purpose, key features, target audience, technologies, cost, and timeline.
• UI UX design solutions need to be crafted in an appealing and intuitive way with seamless navigation. Design wireframes and prototypes for UX testing before development.
• Develop the core functionality for your AI/Machine learning Solutions, including NLP, voice processing, and smart automation. Also, train AI models to optimize response accuracy, leveraging deep learning algorithms. Ensure to combination of third-party APIs, cloud databases, and IoT devices.
• Conduct rigorous testing comprising functional, unity, usability, security, and integrity to ensure flawless app performance. The loop will continue until the app gets error-free.
• Experts from your chosen AI development company will help you deploy the app smoothly following the right guidelines. Continuously monitor the app and apply user feedback to enhance the app’s accuracy and performance.

In Essence,

Developing an AI virtual assistant app like Cortana in 2025 is a lucrative idea as there is a growing market demand for these AI virtual or voice assistants. A wide range of endeavors from different industries have a keen eye to tap into this field and get maximum profits. In the above-detailed guide, we have provided you with everything necessary to build an AI virtual assistant app, from design to development to launch.  

Associating with the best AI development company will help you turn your virtual assistant idea into a walking reality. You can contact Octal IT Solution as we have a vetted and skilled team to assist you with better expertise and experience. Schedule a call with us to learn further!     

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