The new Alexa is expected to offer a wide range of services, including managing personal communications, calendars, reservations, orders, shopping, and answering questions on virtually any topic. However, the project has faced several challenges, including latency issues, with tests showing the new Alexa taking about 40 seconds to respond to a simple user inquiry. Amazon has considered using a smaller AI model to speed up response times, but this has resulted in a drop in the quality and accuracy of answers.
Key takeaways:
- Amazon's new AI-powered Alexa has faced repeated delays due to technical problems, partnership issues, and customer support concerns. The launch has been pushed back multiple times, with some insiders suggesting a possible 2025 release.
- One of the main challenges is the integration with third-party applications like Uber and Ticketmaster, with unclear responsibilities for customer support causing potential friction.
- Despite the setbacks, Amazon sees significant potential in the AI-powered Alexa, with plans for a paid subscription service. The new Alexa aims to handle a wide range of tasks, from managing personal communications to shopping and answering questions on any topic.
- However, the project has faced several challenges, including latency issues and the struggle to integrate large language models with consumer applications. Amazon has also discovered new risk factors, such as compatibility issues with existing Alexa "skills" and older Echo devices.