Amazon is developing its own consumer-focused AI chatbot that would compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and could be revealed later this year, according to a report from Business Insider.
The chatbot service, code-named “Metis,” would be accessed via web browser and powered by a new foundational model, according to Business Insider, which cited sources and documents.
The move would add Amazon to a growing list of tech giants and startups offering new AI assistants, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon-backed Anthropic, among several others.
Amazon declined to comment in response to an inquiry from GeekWire.
Reuters and CNBC both reported recently about Amazon’s plans to roll out a new version of its Alexa voice assistant, called “Remarkable Alexa,” including a paid tier.
Business Insider reported that Metis and Remarkable Alexa use some of the same infrastructure.
Analysts with Bank of America said Monday that the paid tier could generate $600 million in additional sales for Amazon, based on a 10% adoption rate of exiting Alexa active users.
Last year Amazon rolled out “Amazon Q,” a generative AI-powered assistant for enterprise use, and in February released Rufus, a new AI shopping assistant.
Amazon has been trying to demonstrate momentum in generative AI in Amazon Web Services and across its business over the past year, seeking to counter the perception that it has fallen behind in the AI technology race.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, who is reportedly directly involved with “Metis,” has previously described three-layered AI strategy of enabling customers to create new AI foundation models, helping them use existing foundation models, and building AI applications.
