Amazon Plans to Launch a New AI Chatbot: What to Expect

Amazon is reportedly developing a new chatbot, codenamed "Metis," according to a Business Insider report citing an internal document and sources familiar with the project. Instead of utilizing Amazon's previously released Titan AI model, Metis will be powered by an advanced AI model named Olympus.

Metis aims to implement a technique known as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). This approach enables the large language model (LLM) to pull relevant information from trusted sources rather than relying solely on pre-stored data. As Amazon describes, RAG enhances user control over the output by providing insights into the information retrieval process. This functionality allows the chatbot to access real-time data from APIs and document repositories, resulting in more accurate and timely responses without necessitating frequent model retraining.

Key figures in the development of Metis include Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and Rohit Prasad, head scientist of the AGI team. The team comprises many experienced engineers from the Alexa project, incorporating technology developed for the upcoming "Remarkable Alexa" voice assistant.

Amazon is tentatively scheduled to unveil Metis in September, coinciding with its annual product launch event. However, concerns have been raised regarding its competitive timing. One source indicated, "Technically it will work, but the question is if it's already too late." With major competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT, launched in November 2022, and Google Bard (now Gemini) released in March 2023, Amazon faces significant competition. While Titan has not yet matched the prowess of its rivals, the company continues to explore innovative options, such as a business-centric model named Q, to attract more users.