Link: Alexa may get smarter with more APIs rather than more AI

Amazon is reportedly enhancing Alexa by partnering with companies like Uber and GrubHub to improve functionality beyond basic tasks. This includes making bookings, handling deliveries, and integrating more deeply with user accounts.

Previously, functionalities like ordering from Uber or booking through OpenTable were available through Alexa Skills, but Amazon's new approach aims for a seamless completion of these tasks without third-party redirects.

The new strategy could transform Alexa into a more efficient assistant that can perform entire tasks solo, and Amazon plans to charge a premium for this upgraded service.

However, these partnerships with major service providers are still under negotiation, and it's not guaranteed they will proceed as planned. An Amazon spokesperson highlighted that the ideas being discussed might not fully represent the final product.

The initiative seems to move away from AI-generated processes to potentially using APIs for improving direct interactions with services. If successful, this could make voice commands more efficient and less frustrating for users.

This adjustment aims to make practical improvements to the digital assistant's capabilities, potentially offering a more reliable service than the ambitious but less precise AI-based models. #

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