Amazon is set to give its Alexa service a new version, introducing a conversational generative AI as part of a major revamp.
The Seattle giant aims to give its voice assistant a makeover that many individuals currently love to experiment with artificial intelligence. For the first time, this is the upcoming overhaul we will see since its release in 2014.
According to sources, the new service, named "Remarkable Alexa" is under the "Banyan project. " Here, you can explore two tiers. If you want a more supercharged and premium version of Alexa, a monthly fee of $5 to $10 is all you need to pay.
Project Banyan: Amazon's Ambitious AI Initiative
The Banyan project is an excellent experiment of Amazon for Alexa. Since the e-commerce titan struggled to earn from it since its launch, there's a need to surprise the customers with a different service.
According to Fast Company, eight current and former employees disclosed that Amazon has been pushing toward an August deadline to prepare the latest version.
CEO Andy Jassy has taken a personal interest in reinvigorating Alexa, highlighting plans for a "more intelligent and capable Alexa" in his April letter to shareholders.
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AI-Fused Alexa Will Do the Magic
Remarkable Alexa will offer spoken answers to user queries and act as a hub for controlling home appliances. Inspired by the fictional voice computer from Star Trek, this service was a pet project of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Keeping pace with competitors like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, which have advanced their chatbots, is critical for Amazon since it needs to catch up with companies relying on high-end AI tech.
The release of ChatGPT in late 2022 intensified the race for AI supremacy, pushing companies like Nvidia to new heights in market capitalization.
What's Special About the AI-Powered Alexa Version?
Amazon's plans for Alexa include the potential for a tiered service with pricing options that could range from $5 to $10 per month. These plans could evolve depending on the progress of Project Banyan.
Despite the competitive scene and internal challenges, Amazon aims to replace the current "Classic Alexa" with a more advanced AI-powered version. What's new in this iteration is that it can handle complex tasks like composing emails, ordering food, and providing personalized experiences without the need to say Alexa repeatedly.
Improving Alexa Means Meeting What Consumers Want to See
For Amazon, enhancing Alexa is not just about keeping up with rivals but also about meeting consumer demands. The current Alexa service is popular for simple tasks like setting timers, checking the weather, and playing music. However, it has not significantly boosted e-commerce sales, as users prefer to see products before purchasing.
Last year, Amazon cut thousands of jobs in the Alexa unit as part of a major restructuring effort following a pandemic-driven e-commerce surge.
Home Automation and User Experience
Remarkable Alexa could transform home automation by learning from users' behaviors. For instance, it could turn on the TV for a favorite show or start the coffee pot after an alarm. For now, what you can do with Alexa is to take advantage of its AI-powered voice search function for Fire TV.
While these features are available today through prompts called Routines, the new AI could offer more seamless and intuitive interactions. However, achieving this vision may require users to invest in additional Alexa-enabled devices.
'Must-Win' Alexa Year
Amazon has designated 2024 as a "must-win" year for Alexa, emphasizing its importance alongside other core brands like Prime, Kindle, and Fire devices. Of course, it should bring features that should not disappoint future subscribers so it would come out profitable at last.
Despite the internal challenges and competitive pressure, the company is committed to delivering a more advanced and capable Alexa. Who knows, your $5 is more than worth a monthly use soon.
