Amazon is giving Alexa a major update called Alexa+ fueled by generative artificial intelligence to enhance its conversational abilities and make it more helpful. The new features will include booking concert tickets, coordinating calendars, suggesting food delivery, and more. The update will cost $19.99 per month or be included with Amazon’s Prime membership. This marks Amazon’s biggest push into consumer A.I. as it aims to catch up with other virtual assistants in the market.
The move comes as Amazon aims to reinvigorate Alexa, which has seen stagnant growth in recent years. The company hopes that the new features will make Alexa more engaging and personalized for users, allowing it to suggest restaurants, book reservations, order rides, and send calendar invitations. Amazon is also working to address challenges such as distinguishing between multiple users in a household and integrating with various smart devices and services.
The update is part of Amazon’s efforts to bring generative artificial intelligence to Alexa and position it as a central hub in people’s lives. This shift in focus comes after Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO in 2021, with Andy Jassy taking over and reining in expenses. The new features in Alexa+ aim to position Amazon as a major player in the consumer A.I. market and address issues such as speed, accuracy, and reliability.
Amazon has been working to bring Alexa on par with competitors, such as ChatGPT, which has more advanced conversational abilities. By incorporating generative artificial intelligence and personalized features, Amazon hopes to make Alexa more engaging and useful for users. The company’s focus on making Alexa faster and more accurate is key to winning over consumers and establishing Alexa as a trusted virtual assistant.
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