AI has been front and center in many of the biggest announcements at this year's CES 2024 tech expo in Las Vegas, and Amazon is among the many tech brands that have revealed plans to integrate AI into their products. and services. Your next step? Alexa Generative AI Experiences.
Amazon has not been shy about sharing its artificial intelligence plans for Alexa. During its September 2023 device event, it announced that Alexa will get a new large language model (LLM), along with new tools to make it easier for developers to create conversational experiences with generative AI.
Now, Amazon is bringing the first of those developer-built AI apps to the voice assistant to take advantage of Alexa's updated LLM and improve the user experience, and you can start using the new features right now. The new generative AI apps can be downloaded through the Amazon Alexa Skill Store.
The first of these is the integrated Character.ai chatbot, which adds a fun element to the voice assistant. Character.ai allows you to have conversations with a long list of characters, for information or just for fun.
You might, for example, want to have an inspiring chat with a personal trainer or get book suggestions from librarian Linda, the AI-designated bookworm. If you're in the mood for an intellectual conversation, Character.ai can generate AI versions of historical figures like William Shakespeare and Socrates.
Adding to the chatbot fun, AI is set to improve the way you connect with music through Alexa. In collaboration with AI Splash music creation software, you can create custom songs using your voice and compete for the next Grammy Award for Record of the Year. To use it on an Echo device, simply say “Alexa, open Splash Music.”
From there, you can test your music production skills to create songs, experimenting with pop, rock, electronic, and many other genres; You could say “Alexa, create a classic rock indie folk song,” for example. You can add lyrics and sing along to your generated track, and even ask Alexa to send a mobile link so you can download your songs.
When you're not trying to become the next hot music producer, you can take a break with Alexa's new AI voice game. The developers of Volley, an AI voice game maker, have collaborated with Amazon to bring another fun Alexa skill to its Echo devices, called “Volley's 20 Questions.”
This is a version of the classic game in which you will have to guess who or what the person carrying it is by asking them questions that they will answer with yes or no. Volley's Alexa integration is a modern revamp that “marks a major milestone in gaming,” according to Volley CEO Max Child.
You must say “Alexa, open Volley Games” to start. The game allows a natural conversation to flow between you and AI Riddlemaster. To play, you simply ask questions like “Is it an animal?” and the voice assistant will answer yes or no, and even give you hints if you get stuck.
