Although Amazon Alexa is considered a pioneer in the race for voice assistant technology, it faces significant challenges in integrating next-generation artificial intelligence. According to a report published by Fortune, the process of updating Alexa's current capabilities and supporting it with a more advanced artificial intelligence model is more difficult than expected. These issues make it difficult for Amazon to achieve its goal of creating the “world's best personal assistant.”
The challenges Amazon faces in its Alexa project are both organizational and technological. According to Fortune, interviews with former employees reveal that there are organizational problems and technological obstacles with Alexa's new artificial intelligence model. Lack of coordination between different teams within the company and difficulties in adapting existing technology to the new model slow down the development of Alexa.
The old Alexa model causes difficulties in integrating with new generation artificial intelligence features. Amazon is trying to add new artificial intelligence features while maintaining Alexa's existing technological infrastructure, but this process is becoming more complicated than expected. According to Fortune's sources, the message is given within the company to “completely abandon the old Alexa model and focus on the new model.”
Amazon is having difficulties integrating the new AI model with Alexa's existing API calls. The current Alexa model uses API calls to interact with third-party smart home devices and music services. The new model has problems with natural language understanding; Users have become accustomed to using “Alexa language” instead of speaking to Alexa naturally.
Many former employees who worked on the Alexa project state that they left the company due to disbelief in the future of the project. According to Fortune, employees think Alexa will fall behind in the competitive AI market. Some former employees, such as Mikhail Eric, criticize the company's organizational structure and the fact that research is tied to product launches.
Amazon remains committed to the future growth of Alexa. Company spokesperson Kristy Schmidt stated that Alexa's vision of becoming “the world's best personal assistant” has not changed and that generative artificial intelligence offers the opportunity to further improve Alexa. By expanding Alexa's integration with generative artificial intelligence, Amazon aims to offer customers a more personal and reliable assistant.
Amazon is working hard to develop the next generation Alexa. Although the disruptions experienced in the past prevent the rapid progress of the company, these problems are being tried to be overcome under the management of the new leader Panos Panay. Amazon aims to introduce new features of Alexa in the fall of 2024.
As a result, Amazon Alexa continues to work to realize its future potential, despite the challenges it faces in artificial intelligence integration. The company has big ambitions, and the development of Alexa aims to provide consumers with a more advanced personal assistant experience. However, it will become clear over time how successful Amazon will be in this field where competition is intense.