Amazon says 97% of its devices can support Alexa+

At the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Amazon revealed its ambitious vision for its AI platform, particularly how it aims to position Alexa in the competitive landscape. With an impressive 97% of its shipped devices compatible with the new Alexa+, Amazon is poised to leverage its established presence in households. Daniel Rausch, Vice President of Alexa and Echo, shared that the company has sold over 600 million devices, most of which will support the enhanced AI assistant, Alexa+. This new iteration, introduced last year, promises a more engaging experience, featuring expressive voices, extensive world knowledge, and AI agents capable of performing tasks such as ordering food or hailing rides. As Amazon rolls out Alexa+, over 1 million customers had access by mid-2023, with tens of millions more set to upgrade soon. However, the company is still determining when the service will be universally available, prioritizing Prime members first. Rausch emphasized that the challenge ahead lies in encouraging user engagement with the AI, leveraging Alexa’s existing user base to foster growth. Rausch believes that while specialized AIs will exist for niche tasks, Alexa is positioned to be one of the foundational AI assistants in the market. With its familiarity and continuous engagement from millions of users, he sees a significant opportunity for Alexa to thrive in the ambient smart home environment. As competition heats up, especially with Apple collaborating with Google’s Gemini for Siri, and other AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude entering various sectors, Amazon is not standing still. The company recently enhanced Alexa’s accessibility by introducing web access and a redesigned app that features a chatbot-style interface. Moreover, partnerships with brands such as Samsung and BMW showcase Alexa’s growing integrations in the tech ecosystem. Amazon also highlighted its acquisition of Bee, an innovative AI wearable that captures conversations and provides insights, which Rausch notes will eventually integrate more closely with Alexa while maintaining its distinct identity as a valuable standalone experience.