Amazon Delays AI Upgrade for Alexa Amid Accuracy Concerns

Amazon's expected AI enhancement for its Alexa voice assistant has been postponed, according to a report by The Washington Post. Originally, the new features were scheduled to debut at an event on February 26, 2025, but the release has now been pushed back to at least the end of March.

The delay is reportedly due to issues with the updated Alexa providing incorrect answers to test inquiries. An anonymous source within Amazon stated that the new version of Alexa will likely not launch until March 31 or later.

This upcoming upgrade is anticipated to bring several new capabilities, including personalized interactions, memory for past conversations, and features like ordering food or hailing a taxi. Initially, it was planned to be available to users for free as a trial.

The news of this postponement comes amidst ongoing speculation that Amazon is facing difficulties in its efforts to enhance Alexa's generative AI abilities, a plan they had announced previously. Although there were hopes for a late 2024 launch, reports from beta testers indicated persistent issues such as slow response times and limited usefulness.

In addition, it seems that Amazon is not alone in experiencing challenges with their AI upgrades. Apple is also reportedly facing difficulties with its own Siri enhancements, which are expected to be introduced in the forthcoming iOS 18.4 but may be delayed until iOS 18.5, which could arrive as early as May.

Meanwhile, Google's Gemini-powered digital assistant continues to maintain a strong competitive edge in the race to upgrade older smartphone assistants with generative AI capabilities.

Amazon, Alexa, AI