Amazon.com Incorporation (AMZN.O) showed off a bunch of new and updated devices on Wednesday and updated its Alexa speech assistant with generative artificial intelligence (AI) to try to get more people to use the unprofitable product as chatbots like Google’s Bard become more popular.
At Amazon’s annual product launch held in Arlington, Virginia, the company showcased the revamped Alexa, now armed with generative AI. This update promises a more human-like interaction. The new face of Alexa also bids farewell to the robotic tone that has characterised the digital assistant for nearly a decade.
With this AI infusion, Alexa can now handle a wider array of tasks, from answering questions about football game schedules to assisting with new recipes. In addition, the digital assistant has also honed its creative side. The company showed this by demonstrating its ability to compose and recite poetry.
The evolution of Alexa
First introduced by Amazon in 2014, Alexa has primarily served as a means to funnel users towards the company’s e-commerce platform. What’s more, Amazon typically interacts with users through smart speakers and compatible TVs, providing information on weather conditions and controlling household appliances.
Amazon’s strategic overhaul of Alexa comes as investors clamor for companies utilizing generative AI. This follows the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which debuted in November, offering long-form written responses to intricate queries.
Dave Limp, Amazon’s Hardware Chief, who is set to depart by the end of the year, reiterated the human-like conversational abilities of the updated Alexa. He also demonstrated how users can now converse with the digital assistant in a manner akin to chatting with another person.
Recent reports by Reuters have hinted at low morale within Amazon’s hardware division, reflecting concerns over the company’s shift in strategy towards Alexa-centric products. Some insiders have expressed doubts regarding the market demand for these offerings, including innovations such as a carbon monoxide detector integrated with Alexa capabilities.
Users no longer have to begin convo with “Alexa”
Among the highlights of Amazon’s product launch event, Limp disclosed a feature that enables users to interact with Alexa without repeatedly uttering the wake word “Alexa.” Consequently, this functionality will be available on select Alexa devices, including the updated Echo Show 8.
In addition to Alexa’s AI upgrade, Amazon introduced a range of new and updated devices. These include refreshed versions of its Fire tablets designed for children, a TV soundbar, and enhanced options for discovering free content on the FireTV service.
One standout device is the Echo Hub touchscreen, priced at $180, which can be wall-mounted and serves as a centralized control hub for various smart devices throughout the home. Amazon also debuted an improved Alexa app, simplifying the management of internet-connected devices within a user’s household.
Photo Credit: Aboutamazon.com
