The special naming of AI assistants

In the world of technology and artificial intelligence, more and more AI assistants with notable names are popping up. Amazon's latest addition, Rufus, is a perfect example. But what lies behind this remarkable choice and how does it relate to the names of other AI helpers?

A nod to the past

The name Rufus has a rich history. In ancient Rome, it was a nickname for redheads, and even William II of England wore this nickname because of his reddish hair. Nowadays, Rufus sounds a little bit chic in the United Kingdom, but you also often hear it in the park where owners call their four-legged friends.

Amazon's choice for this name didn't just come out of the blue. It's a tribute to the company's first ever “office dog.” This Welsh corgi, named Rufus, played an important role in the early days of Amazon.

The inspiration behind AI names

Big tech companies seem to have a preference for special names for their AI creations. Take Google's Gemini, named after the Gemini constellation, for example. This name symbolises the collaboration between different teams and the versatility of the AI.

Apple keeps things a bit simpler with “Apple Intelligence,” but their voice assistant Siri has a more interesting background. The name comes from a Norwegian colleague and means “beautiful woman who leads you to victory”.

From four-legged friend to digital assistant

The story of the original Rufus at Amazon is heartwarming. In 1996, when Amazon was still in its early stages, Susan and Eric Benson took their corgi to the office. Rufus quickly became a beloved team member, even “helping” launch new features on the website.

A lasting legacy

Although Rufus passed away in 2009, his legacy lives on. Amazon's new AI assistant, also called Rufus, now helps customers make purchasing decisions. It's a text-based assistant that answers questions about products.

The future of AI assistants

The development of AI assistants is happening at a rapid pace. Rufus has already answered millions of questions and shows how AI is becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives. Whether Rufus will ever collaborate with Alexa, Amazon's voice-activated assistant, remains a question.

Rufus's story shows how corporate culture and innovation can go hand in hand. From a happy office dog to an advanced AI assistant - it's a journey that perfectly illustrates the rapid development in the tech world.