TECH – Amazon is preparing to launch a significant upgrade to its voice assistant, Alexa, incorporating generative AI capabilities. This enhancement aims to transform Alexa from a basic voice assistant into a more sophisticated AI capable of engaging in multi-turn dialogues and acting autonomously on users’ behalf.
A key feature of the upgraded Alexa is its ability to handle multiple prompts within a single session, moving beyond the current limitation of simple, one-off commands. Additionally, the new Alexa will remember user preferences, enhancing its ability to provide personalized recommendations, such as suggesting music or restaurants based on individual tastes.
The development of this advanced version of Alexa has faced delays due to quality concerns, particularly regarding AI “hallucinations,” where the AI generates inaccurate or nonsensical information. Despite these challenges, Amazon has scheduled an event for February 26 to showcase the revamped Alexa, with a final readiness decision to be made on February 14.
Initially, the enhanced Alexa will be available to a limited audience for free, with Amazon considering future monthly charges for the service. This strategy aligns with Amazon’s broader goal of transitioning some of its hundreds of millions of device users into paying customers.
