New Delhi: Amazon is set to introduce a major upgrade to its voice assistant, Alexa, by incorporating cutting-edge generative AI technology, according to a report by Reuters. This new update is the most significant change to Alexa since its launch over 10 years ago with plans to improve the capabilities beyond simple taska like setting timers or checking the weather. The tech giant will reveal the exciting update during an event in New York City on February 26, hosted by Panos Panay, the head of Amazon’s devices and services division.
Alexa to Become a More Advanced
The upgraded version of Alexa is set to go beyond its traditional role as a voice assistant. It aims to become a more advanced, multifunctional agent. This new Alexa will be able to handle multiple requests in a row and take actions on behalf of users without needing continuous input. With the power of generative AI, Alexa will also become more conversational, remembering your preferences and offering personalized suggestions for things like music and dining choices.
Limited Access and Future Subscription Fees for New Alexa
The new version of Alexa will initially be available to a select group of users and, for now, will be free. However, there are talks about eventually charging a subscription fee of 5 dollars to 10 dollars per month. The classic, free version of Alexa will still be available even though Amazon won’t be adding new features to it. The generative AI-powered Alexa, codenamed “Banyan,” will be launched more widely once it meets specific quality standards, after facing multiple development delays.
Technical and Competitive Challenges
As Amazon works to improve Alexa’s AI capabilities, it faces both technical and competitive challenges. Generative AI models are known to sometimes provide inaccurate or misleading information, so ensuring Alexa provides reliable and accurate responses—especially in environments like cars, homes, and workplaces—is crucial.
Amazon Partners with Anthropic
Amazon is also teaming up with AI startup Anthropic, in which it has invested 8 billion dollars, to boost Alexa’s AI capabilities. At the same time, competitors like Google, Apple, and OpenAI are rapidly advancing their own AI-powered assistants. Google’s Gemini and Apple’s Intelligence are expected to deliver more natural AI interactions, while OpenAI’s ChatGPT has already become a favorite AI assistant for many users.
Updated Alexa to Work with Existing Devices
If Amazon goes ahead with its February 26 announcement, the updated Alexa will work with current Alexa-enabled devices. While the company will still offer the free “Classic Alexa,” it’s no longer adding new features to that version.