The Post’s report, which is based on “internal documents,” indicates that Amazon is still finalizing decisions regarding pricing, subscription structure, and the product name.
The company is carefully considering how best to position Alexa 2.0 in a highly competitive market.
Challenges in Development of Metis
Amazon’s efforts to upgrade Alexa have not been without challenges. The company has reportedly struggled with the development of Alexa 2.0, leading to delays in shipment and significant financial losses related to its Echo smart speakers.
In June, reports surfaced that the AI technology powering Alexa 2.0 was “nowhere near ready,” with former employees describing the organization as “beset by structural dysfunction and technological challenges.”
These challenges have placed Amazon behind competitors like Google, Microsoft, and Meta in the race to develop AI-powered chatbots and agents.
In a bid to catch up, Amazon has been working on a new chatbot, internally dubbed “Metis,” though it remains unclear whether this AI technology will be integrated into the new Alexa.
New Features: AI Assistants
Amazon’s upgraded AI assistant aims to challenge industry giants with new features and a potential subscription model.