Smart Speakers Save Time for 41% of Russians: A Look at User Interactions

Users typically engage with smart technologies in a friendly or neutral manner, with one in five adopting a commanding tone.

According to a study conducted by the educational platform «Netology,» which surveyed over 1,500 participants aged 18 and older, 77% of respondents utilize smart technologies, among which 41% use smart speakers, while Smart TVs emerged as the most sought-after technology.

The majority of respondents who engage with smart technologies perceive them primarily as tools for task completion (61%). Nineteen percent view them as neutral, lacking emotional significance, while 16% see them as assistants or conversation partners. Only 2% of the respondents found these devices to be annoying and unhelpful.

Russians predominantly use smart technologies for educational purposes, such as seeking answers to questions and listening to lectures and podcasts, as reported by 54% of participants. A slightly lower percentage (50%) utilizes smart technologies to fulfill informational needs, like checking the weather or catching up on news. Similarly, 48% of respondents use these technologies for entertainment (listening to music or gaming) and technical tasks (setting reminders or ordering taxis).

Smart TVs are the most commonly reported smart technology, used by nearly half of the respondents (45%). Smart speakers and smart watches share the second spot in popularity, each used by 41% of participants. Thirty-nine percent engage with voice assistants on their smartphones, while some utilize smart home technologies—13% for smart lighting and 6% for smart climate control. Additionally, 23% of respondents indicated that they do not use smart technologies at all.

The study revealed that for most respondents who use smart speakers, these devices have become an integral part of their daily routines. Sixty-three percent use them every day, while one in four employs them several times a week. Eight percent access smart speakers a few times a month, and about 3% do so every few months.

The most significant benefit reported by users of smart speakers is time savings, noted by 69% of respondents. Equally, participants acknowledged that these devices simplify the information-gathering process (33%) and keep them updated on current events (35%). Fourteen percent believe that smart speakers foster creativity, whereas 13% did not perceive any impact from using the technology.

Among Russian users of smart speakers, 40% interact with them in a friendly manner, while 27% adopt a neutral tone. One in five (22%) communicates in a commanding way, such as instructing, «Play music!» Conversely, 10% prefer a playful tone to see how the speaker responds to unusual inquiries. Only 1% admitted to speaking to the device in an irritated manner or expressing frustration when their requests are misinterpreted or not addressed promptly.