Amazon Rolls Out Upgraded Digital Assistant Alexa+
Amazon has started rolling out its upgraded digital assistant, Alexa+, to over 100,000 users. This was announced by CEO Andy Jassy during the company’s earnings call on Thursday. Although this is a significant milestone, it’s still a far cry from the 600 million Alexa devices currently in use.
What is Alexa+?
Alexa+ is powered by generative AI and aims to allow users to interact with it in a more natural way. It will eventually have the ability to use third-party apps on behalf of the user, generating original responses on the fly. This is a significant upgrade from the old Alexa and Siri systems, which relied on predetermined responses.
Features and Limitations
The Alexa+ that’s rolling out currently lacks some of the key features that were demoed in February. These include the ability to use third-party apps like GrubHub, generate bedtime stories for children, or brainstorm gift ideas. However, CEO Andy Jassy has assured users that the company plans to add more functionality in the coming months.
The Technology Behind Alexa+
According to Jassy, Alexa+ is one of the first action-oriented AI agents for consumers. However, he also noted that the technology is still "primitive" and "inaccurate." The current accuracy rate for multi-step AI agents is between 30% and 60%. Jassy has set a goal for the company’s web-browsing agent, Nova Act, to achieve 90% accuracy in this domain.
Comparison with Apple’s Siri
Amazon’s rollout of Alexa+ seems to be progressing faster than Apple’s rollout of its new, LLM-powered Siri. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook announced that the company needs "more time to complete the work" on the new Siri. This delay is not surprising, given the challenges that both companies have faced in integrating generative AI into their digital assistants.
Challenges and Future Plans
Both Amazon and Apple have run into snags and delays in their efforts to supercharge their legacy digital assistants with generative AI. One of the biggest challenges is getting large language models (LLMs) to use tools and integrate with other systems. Despite these challenges, both companies are committed to pushing forward and delivering more advanced digital assistants to their users.
Conclusion
The rollout of Alexa+ is a significant step forward for Amazon, and the company’s commitment to adding more functionality in the coming months is promising. While there are still challenges to be overcome, the potential benefits of generative AI-powered digital assistants are substantial. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more advanced and intuitive digital assistants that can help us manage our daily lives more efficiently.
