Amazon lets some users chat with Alexa+ on the web in bid to take on ChatGPT

On Monday, Amazon introduced a new Alexa+ website, allowing select users to engage with its AI assistant directly through their web browsers. This move aims to position Alexa+ more competitively against established players like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The Alexa.com platform is currently accessible to users of Alexa+, the enhanced version of Amazon's AI assistant that was launched in February and is still in early access. To utilize the service, users must either join a waitlist or purchase newer Alexa-enabled devices. According to Amazon, the Alexa.com site is designed to help users obtain quick answers, delve into complex subjects, generate content, plan travel itineraries, and assist with homework. Additionally, users can manage their smart home devices within the chat interface. With this web-based expansion, Amazon aims to ensure that users can interact with its AI assistant seamlessly across various platforms. Previously, Alexa+ was restricted to mobile applications and certain Echo devices. This launch also aligns Amazon's offerings with other popular AI chatbots from companies like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Perplexity, which are commonly accessed via web browsers. As the demand for generative AI solutions rises, Amazon has faced increasing pressure to enhance its hardware and software capabilities. Since its initial rollout, Alexa+ has gradually become available to more users, with over a million people reportedly accessing the service. Amazon initially hinted at the launch of Alexa.com during the release of Alexa+ last year, promising that the website would be available in the months that followed. In July, the company informed the Washington Post that early access users could expect to use the feature by summer.