Larry Magid: Amazon upgrades Alexa with AI, and a new Echo for kids

"Amazon has added generative artificial intelligence (GAI) to its Alexa voice assistant and launched new AI-powered devices for children. I've been an Alexa fan for many years and have Echo devices in almost every room of my house. We've used them to listen to music and Audible books, control lights, air conditioners and other smart devices, and to get information on demand everything from the weather to brief biographies of notable people."

"Echo audio devices range from inexpensive small speakers to higher-end models like the $219 Echo Studio with immersive spatial sound and Dolby Atmos. There are also numerous third-party speakers with Alexa built-in, including some very high-end audio systems. Amazon also offers Alexa devices with screens ranging from under $60, such as the Echo Show 5 with its 5-inch smart display, to the $400 Echo Show 21 kitchen hub for home organization, which includes built-in Fire TV and Alexa."

"Alexa+ AINow Alexa is getting smarter thanks to Amazon's own generative AI model, which, although unique, shares characteristics with other GAI models developed by OpenAI, Google, Meta and others. It's available in new Echo devices but may not work with some older models or Alexa-compatible devices from other companies. The new AI version has access to far more information than before and can engage in natural back-and-forth conversations without requiring the wake word (Alexa) between responses and follow-up questions."

Amazon added generative artificial intelligence to Alexa and introduced new AI-powered Echo devices, including an Echo Dot Kids model. Alexa's new capabilities run on Amazon's proprietary generative AI model, which shares characteristics with other GAI systems from OpenAI, Google and Meta. The AI enables access to far more information and supports natural, back-and-forth conversations without requiring the wake word between responses and follow-up questions. The upgraded AI is available on new Echo hardware but may not function on some older or third-party Alexa-compatible devices. Echo products continue to cover a range from inexpensive small speakers to high-end Echo Studio and Echo Show smart displays.

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