According to a report from CNBC, Amazon.com is undergoing an artificial intelligence-driven transformation of its Alexa voice assistant, intending to introduce a more conversational version later this year. This move aims to enhance its competitiveness against AI-powered chatbots from Microsoft and Alphabet's Google. Sources familiar with Amazon's plans revealed that the company intends to implement a monthly subscription fee to offset technology costs.
Amazon has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
The upgraded Alexa will leverage Amazon's Titan large language model, promising a more natural and engaging user experience. However, the subscription to Alexa's enhanced features will not be bundled with Amazon's $139 Prime membership. The pricing for the new services is yet to be finalized.
Since its introduction in 2014, Alexa has been pivotal for Amazon, driving users to its platform but struggling to consistently generate profits. Last September, Amazon incorporated generative artificial intelligence into Alexa to attract more users. However, in November, the company reportedly downsized its Alexa voice assistant unit by cutting several hundred jobs.
Meanwhile, Apple is also rumored to be exploring enhancements for its Siri virtual assistant by incorporating generative artificial intelligence features.
This development coincides with OpenAI's recent unveiling of GPT-4o, a new AI model facilitating real-time interactions with ChatGPT, including interruptions and seamless conversation flow. These advancements mark a significant step forward in achieving more natural and lifelike interactions with AI assistants, addressing longstanding challenges faced by older AI models.
