Amazon's AI Alexa Release Delayed Amid Development Issues

Amazon's highly anticipated AI-powered version of its voice assistant, Alexa, is facing another delay. Originally set to be unveiled to journalists at the end of February, sources indicate that the release date has been pushed back due to performance issues identified during testing. The new Alexa is now expected to be available no earlier than March 31 in the United States.

The Washington Post reports that there is a possibility of further postponements. The upgraded Alexa, which was initially announced over a year and a half ago, has seen its launch timeline adjusted multiple times. A significant aspect of the upcoming release is a planned event in New York on February 26, where Amazon intends to showcase the new features to international journalists, despite the delay in public availability.

This forthcoming premium version of Alexa is anticipated to incorporate advanced functionalities, likely requiring a monthly subscription fee. Enhancements over the standard version are expected to include more natural conversation flows, the ability to adopt distinct personalities, recall previous interactions, and even facilitate food orders.

The underlying AI technology for this new version reportedly utilizes components from Claude, a model developed by Anthropic. Meanwhile, the current iteration of Alexa will continue to be offered at no cost alongside the new version. However, the subscription pricing for the upgraded Alexa remains unconfirmed. A potential introduction in Germany would follow the U.S. launch.

Reports of developmental hurdles for the new Alexa have emerged in recent months. Bloomberg highlighted in October that the revised assistant often experiences delays in providing responses. Additionally, the upgrade has been criticized for typical AI-related inaccuracies, causing a lack of enthusiasm among beta testers. There have also been complications related to integrating smart home features.