Will your favorite coworker be a virtual assistant instead of a human employee? If there’s one thing the pandemic hasn’t changed, it’s the need for brick-and-mortar retailers to be more efficient and engaging with their customers. But COVID has accelerated the growth of new technologies like voice that will rethink the ways employees work and customers shop in physical stores—with the need for people to stay apart inside, voice can easily help employees get the information they need with limited contact with others, especially when wearing a mask and gloves. Also covered this week, Samsung considers an interesting deal with Google Assistant and U.S. Bank wants to help you manage your finances.