Digital assistants like Siri and Alexa operate using a combination of natural language processing and machine learning. They interpret user commands through voice recognition, converting spoken language into text for analysis. Once the intent is understood, these assistants execute tasks by retrieving information, controlling smart home devices, or providing recommendations. They continually learn from user interactions, improving their responses and contextual understanding over time. By harnessing vast datasets, they can also tailor suggestions to individual preferences, enhancing user engagement and convenience.