The future of AI assistants is here, Yasmina, is not just smart, it is finely attuned to where you live and what matters to you.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the next wave of AI assistants promises to be hyperlocal and finely attuned to users’ specific needs. By understanding the unique cultural, social, and economic contexts of their users, these AI tools will offer insights and solutions tailored to specific communities. This hyperlocal approach is set to revolutionize how people interact with technology, making AI an even more integral part of daily life, from navigating local services to fostering community engagement. UAE based Yango Group have recently launched their first smart speakers, Yasmina, an AI assistant that accurately reflects and addresses the unique cultural nuances of the Middle East.
What is behind Yasmina’s human-like conversational skills
These skills are based on a proprietary large language model (LLM) using a refined dataset of Arabic web pages. It is further fine-tuned over an extended period of time in collaboration with a diverse group of Arabic-speaking experts selected for their varied dialects, pronunciation, and vocabulary. A great number of people from various locations, such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and more, took part in enhancing Yasmina’s speech recognition. These diverse voices, spanning different ages and genders, trained Yasmina to adapt to local preferences, grasp the subtleties of language, and deliver authentic and contextually appropriate interactions.
Yasmina differentiation in addressing the cultural and social nuances of Middle Eastern users.
- Regional focus: Yasmina understands major Arabic dialects and caters to both Arabic speakers and those interested in learning about the Arab world. It can recite surahs from the Holy Quran or tell you the date and time according to the Hijri calendar.
- Specialised knowledge: Yasmina’s proprietary large language model (LLM) and voice recognition technology have been specifically trained on local data, providing it with a more comprehensive understanding of regional culture and preferences.
- Human-like companion: The AI assistant has a unique ability to engage in authentic, consistent, and enjoyable conversations. Users can have a friendly chat with the assistant and even ask Yasmina to tell a joke.
- Cultural sensitivity: Yasmina has been designed to recognise and respond to local customs and sensitivities, such as avoiding certain topics or providing appropriate answers that align with local values.
- Bilingual support: Yasmina supports both English and Khaleeji Arabic, allowing users to easily switch between languages for a more personalised and convenient experience.
Yasmina embodies the future of hyperlocal AI
Meeting innovation with the unique needs of our users, it is an example of how large language models can be used to create not just intelligent, but truly personalised experiences. Yasmina product development journey has highlighted the importance of user feedback in shaping the future of AI. Yango teams involved Middle Eastern communities as active participants and empowered them to shape the technology they use every day. That’s why, following the launch of the product, the company established a beta testing community, to gather valuable feedback, and make sure that Yasmina continues to meet the unique needs of the region.
Yango is working with the aim that Yasmina could become an integral part of daily life for people in the GCC. Their goal is to contribute meaningfully to UAE society by understanding and addressing local needs, fostering growth, and building a future where technology and human experience are seamlessly intertwined. Achieving this requires a major focus on developing AI products that resonate with local culture and needs. We can only create truly meaningful user experiences by understanding and responding to these regional nuances.
Where to find the newly launched Yasmina speakers in the UAE
Yasmina Midi and Yasmina Mini are now available for purchase through various retail and online outlets across the UAE, including Virgin Megastore, Jumbo Electronics, Sharaf DG, and at noon.com Yasmina Midi is priced at AED 449, while Yasmina Mini is available for AED 279.
To fully enjoy everything the Yasmina speakers have to offer, including music streaming and recommendations, users need to activate a subscription to Yango Play.
