Amazon is set to enhance its Alexa voice assistant by incorporating Anthropic’s Claude AI, with the upgraded version internally referred to as “Remarkable Alexa” or “Project Banyan,” according to sources who shared details with Reuters.
This development follows reports that Amazon’s proprietary large language model did not meet performance expectations. Early prototypes of the new Alexa experienced delays of up to seven seconds in responding to user queries, a lag deemed unacceptable in the competitive smart assistant market.
Anthropic, a San Francisco-based AI research firm founded by former OpenAI researchers, has gained prominence with its Claude model. Known for its natural conversational abilities, Claude is expected to help Amazon achieve a more sophisticated Alexa capable of managing complex queries and maintaining coherent dialogues.
Although neither Amazon nor Anthropic has officially confirmed the partnership, an Amazon spokesperson noted that Alexa’s development will involve a mix of technologies, including both in-house models and those from partners.
The upgraded Alexa, slated for release in October, will introduce a subscription-based model with fees ranging from $5 to $10 per month. This new version aims to transform Alexa into a revenue-generating product, despite the current Alexa division’s struggle with profitability.
The collaboration with Anthropic will boost the latter’s visibility and establish it as a significant player in the AI assistant market. The new Alexa is expected to offer more natural conversations, personalized recommendations, and improved smart home automation. It will also learn user preferences over time, automating tasks such as setting alarms and recording TV shows.
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