Amazon is gearing up to showcase its AI enhancements for Alexa during an event scheduled for February 26, but according to the Washington Post, the actual rollout of these updates may not occur for at least another month. An anonymous Amazon insider provided this information, indicating that the upgraded version of Alexa is not expected to launch until March 31.
The article elaborates that Amazon initially aimed to release the revamped version of its virtual assistant this month. However, the company postponed the launch to rectify persistent issues related to “incorrect answers” during testing.
The postponement has sparked concerns among investors. The significant capital required for advancing AI technology makes it a precarious investment, and achieving profitability in this area can be challenging. Nevertheless, Amazon is optimistic that a more refined Alexa could boost sales of Echo devices and various smart gadgets that incorporate the assistant. The strategy involves offering most Alexa functionalities for free while reserving advanced features for subscribers.
The forthcoming version of Alexa is anticipated to possess the ability to develop its own personality and remember past conversations. It may also take on more complex tasks, like ordering takeout for users who prefer not to make calls or hailing a taxi. Such hurdles are not entirely surprising; other tech companies have encountered similar challenges with AI providing erroneous responses. For instance, Apple faced backlash when users reported unsettling interpretations of messages and news alerts from its Notification Summaries.
An enhanced, more capable version of Alexa would be beneficial for smart home technology. However, these delays underscore the hurdles that still need to be overcome before full integration of the technology becomes a reality.
