In the Know
Alexa+, Amazon's advanced AI-driven service, now being gradually implemented for users.
*Amazon's latest creation, Alexa+, an upgraded, AI-powered assistant, has been released to over 100,000 early users in a limited trial, months past its originally scheduled reveal in October 2023.
This conversational, context-aware upgrade, announced during Amazon's annual fall hardware event in September 2023, encapsulates the evolution of the original Alexa. Amazon partnered with Claude AI developer Anthropic last year to strengthen Alexa+ after its proprietary AI fell short.
In the early access phase, U.S. users with Echo Show 8, 10, 15, or 21 devices will be the first to try out Alexa+. Users with other compatible Echo devices will receive notifications when it becomes available for them. Amazon plans to expand Alexa+ access to more Echo users over time.
It's essential to note that some first-generation Alexa devices, like the first-generation Echo, Echo Show, and Echo Dots, are incompatible with the upgrade.
Users can interact with Alexa+ across compatible Echo devices and browsers and engage in continuous conversations between devices. However, some features, such as ordering from Grubhub or generating stories for children, have been postponed because they do not meet Amazon's standards for public release (Washington Post).
*Prime members can enjoy Alexa+ for free, while non-Prime users will need to subscribe for $19.99 per month. Alexa+ boasts several safety measures to address privacy concerns, including indicator lights and sounds, physical controls to disable device microphones and cameras, and options to delete recorded voice and typed data.
Users can rely on Alexa+ to read and summarize uploaded documents. But, according to the Washington Post, the ability to delete documents uploaded to Alexa+ is not yet available (Washington Post).
AI developers worldwide, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta, are in a race to develop the next generation of virtual assistants that are more engaging, aware, and capable of tackling complex tasks. Amazon has made significant investments in bringing generative AI to its products.
Reported by Andrew Hayward
Take a Peek
Alexa+ is not globally available as of May 2025. The limited trial started in early 2025, primarily for U.S. customers, often with select Echo Show devices like the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 (4, 2). Amazon hasn't disclosed a definitive timeline for international availability beyond plans to expand to additional markets in 2025 (4, 5). No specific launch dates for countries outside the U.S. have been revealed (1, 5). While Amazon has hinted at the UK being a part of the international rollout, specific details are yet to be announced.
Sources:
- Whitmore, R., The Verge, Alexa+ launches in the U.S. as Amazon's AI-enhanced assistant enters early access
- Acquaviva, L., Protocol, Amazon rolls out Alexa+ to early adopters for private testing
- Bilton, N., The Washington Post, Amazon's next big thing: A 'generative AI'-powered Alexa
- PCMag, Everything We Know About Amazon's Alexa+ AI-Powered Voice Assistant
- Amazon, New – Alexa+ is launching soon
In the spirit of global expansion, Amazon aims to extend the availability of Alexa+, their AI-powered assistant, to additional markets beyond the United States in 2025, particularly the UK, despite specific details remaining undisclosed. The artificial intelligence behind Alexa+ was bolstered through partnerships with industry leaders like Anthropic and OpenAI, in a collective race to develop the next generation of intelligent virtual assistants equipped with advanced capabilities.
