Leaked internal documents obtained by Fortune reveal various technical issues related to the upcoming AI revamp for Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant. A major issue is latency, which refers to the delay in how long it takes for the AI to answer a question.
Testing Feedback and Concerns
The latency concern is serious enough that several internal testers have rated the new assistant poorly. The average score given by testers was 4.5 out of 7, falling short of the target score of 5.5 out of 7. The team is worried that if this product is launched in its current condition, it could lead to user frustration.
Key Issues Highlighted
The memo states that "latency continues to be a major issue" that will need "notable improvements." Another significant challenge is the possibility that some older Echo devices might not work with the new assistant.
Amazon spokesperson Lauren Raemhild mentioned to Fortune, “Generative AI presents a significant opportunity to enhance Alexa for our customers.” She added, "We are diligently working to provide even more proactive and capable assistance on the more than half a billion Alexa-enabled devices already present in homes globally.”
Challenges Faced by the Team
The team is also encountering numerous technological and administrative challenges, such as insufficient data for training its AI model or resources being redirected to focus on Generative AI for Amazon's cloud services. The memos indicate that the relaunch of Alexa has been postponed at least three times, with the latest date set for November 14, 2024.
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