Amazon Introduces New Language Model for Enhanced Voice Interactions with Alexa

by Roman Perkowski
in !!!, *CS, *ET, *FR, *HR, *IT, *PL, *SK, *TR, Artificial intelligence, Chatbot, Games, Mobile, News
on 21 September 2023

Amazon has unveiled a new large language model (LLM) optimized for voice interactions, designed to enhance the capabilities of its virtual assistant Alexa. With this update, customers will experience more natural and conversational interactions with Alexa, offering improved smart home control, real-time news, and enhanced home entertainment options.

One of the key features of the new language model is its ability to combine multiple commands into a single sentence, simplifying tasks such as controlling smart home devices, such as blinds, lights, and vacuum cleaners, with a single voice command. For example, users can say, “Alexa, close all the blinds, turn off all the lights, and start the vacuum,” and Alexa will execute the desired actions.

In addition to these enhancements, Amazon is introducing several other new features to elevate the Alexa experience. These include:

Automatic Lighting: Alexa will soon be able to detect the brightness level and activity in a room, intelligently deciding when to turn lights on or off. This feature eliminates the need to search for light switches in the dark and will be available on select Echo devices with motion and ambient light sensors.
Eye Gaze on Alexa: This feature is designed to support customers with mobility or speech disabilities. Instead of using voice or touch commands, users can control Alexa by gazing at their tablet to perform preset actions. This feature aims to provide hands-free accessibility and will initially be available on Fire HD 11 tablets in the U.S., UK, Germany, and Japan.
Call Translation: Alexa’s audio and video calls can now be captioned in real-time, bridging language barriers. This feature enables effective communication in over 10 languages and is particularly beneficial for individuals with hearing impairments. It will be available on Echo Show devices and the Alexa mobile app.
Alexa Emergency Assist: In emergency situations, users can simply say, “Alexa, call for help” to access Alexa Emergency Assist, a safety service designed to keep households secure. With features like 24/7 Urgent Response, Smart Alerts, and Emergency Contacts, customers can quickly get the help they need through a supported Echo device.
Explore with Alexa: Amazon Kids+ on Echo devices introduces “Explore with Alexa,” a conversational experience that fosters curiosity and exploration in children. Kids can ask Alexa questions about animals and nature and receive informative responses adapted from trusted sources, encouraging further exploration.

Amazon is also empowering developers to create LLM-powered experiences with Alexa, allowing integration of one or more LLMs of their choice. This enables the creation of multimodal, conversational, and ambient experiences, enhancing the capabilities of Alexa devices. Additionally, Amazon is collaborating with Character.AI to introduce over 25 unique chatbot characters to Alexa, offering users the opportunity to engage in human-like conversations with a variety of virtual personalities.

Overall, these updates aim to make voice interactions with Alexa more intuitive, convenient, and personalized, further enhancing the user experience.

Definitions:

– Large Language Model (LLM): A type of artificial intelligence model that allows computers to understand and generate human language. It is designed to enhance natural language understanding and improve human-computer interactions.

Sources:

– Source: Amazon.com

– Image: Amazon.com