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Amazon Delays AI-Powered Alexa Upgrade Amid Technical Challenges

Amazon has postponed the rollout of its AI-enhanced version of Alexa, initially slated for launch on February 26th, with the new date now pushed to March 31 or later, as reported by The Washington Post. Sources indicate the delay is largely attributed to the assistant’s difficulty in delivering accurate responses during testing.

According to an anonymous insider at Amazon, the anticipated upgrade may also introduce subscription-based features, including the ability for users to adopt distinct personalities, recall previous conversations, and easily order food or book transportation. Internal communications suggest these features were originally intended to be available as part of a free trial, which has now been postponed.

The announcement of this delay follows a series of concerns that have emerged over the past few months regarding Amazon’s ambition to enhance Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI technology. The company had previously indicated that this transformative process would occur gradually throughout the upcoming months. Originally projected for a late 2024 launch, the deployment has faced setbacks due to feedback from beta testers who reported that the updated AI provided slow, robotic, and unhelpful interactions. Amazon has not yet provided comments regarding these developments to The Verge.

In a broader context, Apple is facing its own challenges with a proposed upgrade for Siri, anticipated to debut in iOS 18.4. However, recent reports indicate this upgrade may experience limitations or could be entirely deferred to the subsequent iOS 18.5, expected to launch in May, as noted by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini-powered assistant continues to maintain a competitive advantage in the integration of generative AI with older assistant technologies, underscoring the competitive landscape in this rapidly evolving sector.

Source
www.theverge.com