Advancing Technology

In this novel that I have chosen "White Death" there is a vast amount of technology being used. Such as, "Max" who has artificial intelligence but is a mere computer program. I wonder if in the near or distant future we will have programs that when told they can find vast amounts of information using the internet and their own personal databases. Imagine, instead of checking your e-mail which can be very time consuming you have a computer program write your e-mails for you and read them. Then explain the main facts about the e-mails. This would be the next best invention since the internet.