【AI前沿】Amazon’s new Alexa+ powered feature can generate podcast episodes

Amazonannouncedthe latest update to Alexa+ on Monday: the ability to generate podcast episodes on demand.The new feature, called “Alexa Podcasts,” is rolling out to customers in the U.S. today. Amazon describes the capability as a way to “turn any topic you’re curious about into a podcast episode, ready in minutes.”To use the feature, all users have to do is ask Alexa+ to create a podcast about a topic they’re interested in. Users don’t need to upload documents, write scripts, or plan anything ahead of time. Instead, Alexa+ researches the request, gathers information, and generates a quick overview of what the episode will cover. From there, users can tweak things like the length, tone, and focus of the episode.Once finalized, Alexa+ uses AI-generated host voices to narrate the podcast. When the episode is ready, users get a notification through their Echo Show device and inside the Alexa app. Episodes are also saved in the app’s “Music” and “More” sections so they can be replayed later.The feature is another example of how Amazon is trying to turn Alexa+ into more than just a voice assistant. Instead of only answering questions or controlling smart home devices, Alexa+ is starting to act more like a personalized AI content creator.At the same time, the launch is likely to spark some debate. AI-generated voices and automated content continue to raise questions around ethics, accuracy, and the future of traditional creators. There are also concerns about how reliable AI-generated podcasts will be, especially when covering news or complex topics.Amazon emphasized its partnerships with major news organizations to improve content accuracy and reliability. The company says Alexa+ can access real-time information through agreements with outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, The Washington Post, Time, Forbes, Business Insider, Politico, USA Today, Condé Nast, Hearst, and Vox Media, alongside more than 200 local newspapers across the U.S.Beyond podcasts, Amazon says it is exploring additional forms of personalized AI audio, including custom news briefings and content generated from users’ own documents and shared information.TopicsAI,alexa plus,alexa+,Amazon,Generative AI,Media & Entertainment,podcastsWhen you purchase through links in our articles,we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.Lauren ForristalLauren covers media, streaming, apps and platforms at TechCrunch.You can contact or verify outreach from Lauren by [email protected] via encrypted message at laurenforris22.25 on Signal.View BioMay 27Athens, GreeceStrictlyVC Athens is up next. Hear unfiltered insights straight from Europe’s tech leaders and connect with the people shaping what’s ahead. Lock in your spot before it’s gone.REGISTER NOWMost PopularUsers turn to jailbreaking their older Kindles as Amazon ends supportLauren ForristalOpenAI launches ChatGPT for personal finance, will let you connect bank accountsIvan MehtaUS orders travelers on Air Force One to throw away gifts, pins, and burner phones after China tripLorenzo Franceschi-BicchieraiOpenAI is reportedly preparing legal action against Apple; it wouldn’t be the first partner to feel burnedConnie LoizosHow to turn off Instagram’s new Instants feature and retract photos you accidentally sharedAisha MalikSpotify launches a Wrapped-style recap of your entire listening historyIvan MehtaAmazon launches 30-minute delivery across the USSarah Perez