Among the array of CES revelations this week, it comes as no shock that generative AI stands out as a prominent theme among tech corporations this year, with Volkswagen, Nvidia, and notably, Amazon, taking the lead.
In September 2023, Amazon disclosed to developers its plans to introduce new tools for creating LLM-powered experiences. Today, the company unveiled three developers who have crafted innovative generative AI-powered Alexa experiences, namely AI chatbot platform Character.AI, AI music company Splash, and Voice AI game developer Volley. All three experiences are now accessible in the Amazon Alexa Skill Store.
Character.AI’s latest offering allows Alexa users to engage in real-time conversations with various personas, ranging from a fictional character like Librarian Linda to a personal trainer, and even simulated versions of renowned personalities such as Elon Musk, Socrates, and William Shakespeare, among others. Users can also partake in role-playing adventures, like aiding Nintendo’s Mario in finding Princess Peach.
Image Credits: Character.AI
On the other hand, Splash has launched a complimentary Alexa Skill that empowers users to create songs using their voice. To begin, users simply say, “Alexa, open Splash,” choose a musical genre (pop, electronic, rock, or hip hop), add lyrics, and either rap or sing along. Additionally, users have the option to download their customized songs by requesting Alexa to send a link to their mobile devices.
Volley, on the other hand, introduced its generative AI-driven “20 Questions” game, offering Alexa users a contemporary twist on the classic game. This game utilizes generative AI to engage users by posing questions, providing clues, and explaining “yes or no questions” in case the human player encounters a roadblock.
Image Credits: Volley
Amazon has implemented numerous AI-related upgrades to Alexa in recent months, including a new generative AI model designed to infuse the virtual assistant with a more opinionated persona, enabling it to adjust its tone and responses to convey human emotions like excitement or surprise. The tech behemoth has also rolled out a child-centric feature on Echo devices named “Explore with Alexa,” where Amazon Kids+ subscribers can engage in kid-friendly conversations, acquire interesting facts, and tackle trivia questions.
Among other Amazon revelations at CES are the integration of Fire TV into Panasonic’s upcoming smart TVs in 2024, Matter Casting support on Fire TV and Echo Show 15 devices, the latest iteration of the robotaxi Zoox, and more.
