Voice activated personal assistants respond only when hearing what?

Voice-activated personal assistants are designed to activate and start processing commands when they detect a specific trigger known as a wake word. This wake word is typically the name of the assistant, such as "Alexa," "Siri," or "Hey Google," and is essential for the functionality of these devices.

The technology behind voice assistants utilizes advanced algorithms and machine learning to continuously listen for this wake word while remaining in a low-power mode. Once they hear the designated wake word, they engage fully, preparing to interpret further voice commands. This mechanism is crucial as it allows the assistant to differentiate between general background noise and the specific instruction to begin responding, ensuring privacy and minimizing unnecessary activation.

In contrast, other options do not accurately represent the functionality of these systems. A random word would not provide the necessary specificity for activation, a proprietary code lacks universality and would complicate user experience, and a specific song wouldn’t serve as a reliable or contextually appropriate cue for initiating voice interaction. Thus, the correct answer is tied directly to the concept of a wake word that efficiently triggers the assistant's functions.