Amazon Introduces Alexa+

On Wednesday, Amazon unveiled Alexa+, an upgraded version of its digital voice assistant powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI). This new AI-driven system utilizes multiple AI models and will be compatible with many older Echo devices.

For years, Amazon has been working on modernizing Alexa, though the process has been challenging due to the company’s efforts to maintain maximum compatibility with previous versions.

What Does Alexa+ Offer and How Much Will It Cost?

Alexa+ will be available starting in late March at a monthly cost of $19.99 as a standalone service. However, it will be free for Amazon Prime subscribers. Given that Prime membership costs less while also including video and music streaming, along with free shipping, this new addition makes the subscription even more attractive.

At a media presentation in New York, Amazon executives showcased Alexa+’s capabilities, including:

• Ordering groceries
• Analyzing documents
• Generating stories
• Autonomous web searches to complete user tasks

According to Amazon representatives, Alexa+ will also be more flexible in understanding user requests, such as playing music or controlling smart home devices.

AI Partners and Compatibility

Alexa+ will be integrated with numerous service providers, including:

• GrubHub, OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Yelp, Thumbtack, Vagaro, Fodor's, TripAdvisor, Uber
• Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Max

It will also be compatible with a wide range of smart home devices, including those from Philips Hue, Roborock, and Lutron. To enable more complex AI-driven tasks, Amazon plans to launch a dedicated mobile app and web platform for Alexa+.

AI Models Powering Alexa+

Amazon has revealed that Alexa+ is powered by multiple AI models, including:

• Amazon’s in-house AI model, Nova
• Anthropic’s AI models, a close Amazon partner
• Other advanced AI systems

Amazon’s Move in the AI Assistant Race

With Alexa+, Amazon is taking a significant step toward dominating the AI assistant market. As companies worldwide rush to integrate generative AI into their products and services, Amazon’s new AI-powered Alexa+ aims to enhance user experiences and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly growing AI industry.