According to a new Bloomberg report, Amazon’s plans to launch a ChatGPT-like upgrade for Alexa have hit another delay. The company has pushed back the release of its AI-enhanced voice assistant to 2025. So if you were eager to have more natural conversations with your Echo devices, you’ll have to hang in there.
The delay comes after Amazon initially planned to unveil the new Alexa at a major event in October 2024. While the current Alexa can handle basic tasks like setting timers and playing music, the upgraded version promises more sophisticated conversations and a better understanding of complex questions.
The outlet reports that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy tested an early version last summer, bombarding it with sports questions. While the prototype showed promise, it still had problems – including making up fake game scores when asked about recent matches.
The technical challenges seem to have been a bit bigger than expected. The new AI-powered Alexa sometimes gives unnecessarily long answers and struggles with simple tasks that the current version handles well, like controlling smart home devices. Engineers are also working to fix issues with “hallucinations” – where the AI makes up information that isn’t true. For those interested, I’ve compiled a list of some of the wildest AI hallucinations.
Unlike ChatGPT, which users generally forgive for occasional mistakes, Alexa is already in millions of homes and used by many families with children. A chatty but unreliable assistant could quickly frustrate users and damage trust in the product, at the very least.
While Alexa devices are in over 25% of US households, the division hasn’t been profitable. The company apparently hopes that adding advanced AI capabilities could finally turn that around, possibly by offering premium features that users would pay for.
The delay puts Amazon further behind in the AI assistant race. Microsoft has integrated ChatGPT into its products, while Google has launched its Gemini AI. Apple is also working on further AI upgrades for Siri, expected next year.
According to Bloomberg’s sources, users who ask Alexa to “let’s chat” – the promised way to access the new AI features – are being told to stick with basic commands instead. Amazon hasn’t announced a specific launch date for the upgrade, but the company wants to get it right rather than rush out an imperfect product.
Dwayne Cubbins
392 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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