What is the purpose of Cortana?

Cortana serves as a Microsoft Virtual Personal Assistant designed to help users manage tasks and access information efficiently. Its primary function includes responding to voice commands, providing reminders, scheduling appointments, and delivering information based on user inquiries. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Cortana can understand and process natural language, enabling a more interactive and intuitive user experience.

This differs significantly from alternative web browsers, search engine optimization tools, or programming languages, which serve entirely different purposes within technology and software. An alternative web browser would focus on providing a platform for users to navigate the internet. A search engine optimization tool is designed to improve website visibility on search engines, while a programming language is used for developing software applications. Therefore, the functionality of Cortana strictly aligns with that of a virtual assistant, making it the correct answer.