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Unpacking the Latest Amazon Alexa AI Update: Is it Worth It?

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By Rebecca Edwards

May 22, 2024

2 min read

Alexa smart speaker in living room with mirror

Photo: SafeWise

Amazon isn't getting a superstar voice upgrade (well, neither is ChatGPT after its ScarJo snafu!). Still, according to a report by CNBC, Amazon is set to revolutionize its Alexa voice assistant with an artificial intelligence-driven overhaul. The tech giant plans to introduce a more conversational version of Alexa later this year, aiming to better compete with AI-powered chatbots from Microsoft and Alphabet's Google. This new version will be supported by Amazon's own Titan large language model.

To offset the costs of this advanced technology, Amazon will introduce a monthly subscription fee for Alexa users. Unfortunately, this fee won't be included in the company's $139 Prime offering. As of now, Amazon has not finalized the price for the new service.

Keeping up with the Joneses (or the Apples)

Alexa, launched in 2014, has struggled to find a consistent path to profitability. It primarily serves as a tool to drive shoppers to Amazon's website. Last September, Amazon updated Alexa with generative artificial intelligence features to enhance user engagement. However, the company also faced setbacks, cutting several hundred jobs in its Alexa unit in November 2023.

This overhaul is part of Amazon's broader strategy to keep up with the competition in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The move follows recent developments from other tech giants; Apple is reportedly working on incorporating generative AI features into its Siri virtual assistant. But it's unclear how much consumers care about (or trust) AI enhancements—and it's unlikely they want to pay for them.

The announcement comes shortly after OpenAI revealed its new AI model, GPT-4o. This model enables users to engage in real-time, lag-free conversations with ChatGPT, a feature that traditional AI assistants have struggled to achieve.

As Amazon prepares to launch its enhanced Alexa, the tech industry watches closely to see how this next-generation voice assistant will impact the market and whether it will finally unlock the commercial potential of AI-driven virtual assistants.

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Disclaimer: Portions of this article were assisted by automation technology. All content therein has been augmented, thoroughly edited, and fact-checked by our in-house editorial staff of human safety experts.

Written by

Rebecca Edwards

Rebecca is the Managing Editor and lead safety expert at SafeWise.com, where she's been researching, testing, and writing about home and personal security for over 12 years. Her safety smarts come from both real life and professional experience—as a single parent trying out safety and security gadgets to protect her family and a former college director responsible for safety plans and strategies to keep buildings, grounds, and hundreds of students and faculty safe every day. With 30 years of experience as a journalist and blogger, she's become a go-to source for trustworthy, practical advice on everything from the best home security systems and smart gadgets to keeping kids safe online, preventing package theft, and understanding crime trends nationwide. PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, NPR, Vice, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, HGTV, Marketplace, On the House, and more have featured Rebecca's expert insights and recommendations. Whether it's protecting your home, your loved ones, or your peace of mind, Rebecca makes safety simple, doable, and real.