Smart speakers are voice-activated devices that use artificial intelligence to answer questions and control smart home devices. Popular smart speakers include Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod. Smart speakers work by listening for a wake word through multiple microphones, then using voice recognition and natural language processing to understand and respond to commands. Common uses of smart speakers are getting information, playing music, and controlling smart home devices like lights and thermostats. While smart speakers offer convenience, some concerns exist around privacy of data collection and always-on listening.