Amazon is gearing up to roll out a more advanced version of its Alexa voice assistant that may come with a monthly subscription fee of $5 to $10, according to a report by Reuters. This update will leverage generative AI technology to bolster Alexa’s overall capabilities.
Amazon is aiming for an August release for the AI-enhanced Alexa. While some features will be available at no cost, more sophisticated functionalities will be reserved for subscribers, says Reuters.
As we reported a few days ago, Amazon’s project to develop a significantly smarter Alexa version with advanced generative AI has been facing major obstacles. Multiple technological and managerial challenges have marred the integration of generative AI into the voice assistant.
Elevated Performance and User Capabilities
The new Alexa model is designed to adapt to user interactions, allowing it to handle complex tasks more efficiently. For instance, users will be able to combine multiple commands such as composing an email while ordering food, potentially without needing to repeatedly use the wake word “Alexa.”
Market Strategy and Competitors
With generative AI already being integrated into different aspects of Alexa, Amazon is looking to scale these innovations across its expansive user base. Alexa, which is available on over 500 million devices globally, aims to provide more tailored and proactive assistance. This development is seen as a direct counter to advancements by rivals like OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Apple‘s upcoming Siri for iOS 18.
Amazon has initiated user testing of the new AI capabilities, with users able to join a waitlist through a simple voice command: “Alexa, let’s chat.” The details on whether the subscription will be a part of Amazon Prime or a separate service remain unconfirmed.
Additional Features and AI Shopping Assistance
Earlier this year, Amazon introduced the Alexa-enabled Echo Hub. In 2022, David Limp, then Amazon’s senior vice president of devices and services, indicated that a more advanced version of Alexa might come with a fee. The AI-enhanced Alexa will also offer shopping recommendations, similar to advice provided by the company’s AI shopping assistant, Rufus.
Amazon responded to inquiries with a statement shared with Reuters: “We have already integrated generative AI into different components of Alexa and are working on scaling this across the over half a billion Alexa-enabled devices globally to ensure more proactive, personal, and trusted assistance for our customers.”
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 3:50 pm CET
