Nishant N@MarkTechPost
//
Amazon has unveiled Nova Act, a new AI agent designed to interact with web browsers and automate tasks. Released as a research preview, the Nova Act SDK allows developers to create AI agents capable of automating tasks such as filling out forms, navigating web pages, and managing workflows. U.S.-based users can access the SDK through the nova.amazon.com platform.
Nova Act distinguishes itself by focusing on reliability in completing complex, multi-step tasks by breaking down workflows into atomic commands and integrating with tools like Playwright for direct browser manipulation. Developers can enhance functionality further by interleaving Python code. Early benchmarks suggest Nova Act outperforms competitors like OpenAI’s CUA and Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet on specific web interaction tasks, demonstrating Amazon’s commitment to advancing agentic AI.
Recommended read:
References :
- Analytics India Magazine: The Nova Act SDK is built to automate workflows by breaking down complex tasks into smaller commands, such as searching, completing checkouts, and answering questions based on on-screen content.
- THE DECODER: Amazon launches AI agent toolkit with Nova Act SDK
- Flipboard Tech Desk: Amazon has unveiled Nova Act, a general-purpose AI agent that can take control of a web browser and independently perform some simple actions like making dinner reservations or filling out online forms. Read more at .
- GeekWire: ‘Nova Act’ moves Amazon further into the AI agent race
- TestingCatalog: Discover Amazon's Nova Act, a new AI model for automating web tasks. Released as a research preview, it excels in reliability and developer control. Try it now!
- WIRED: Amazon's AGI Lab Reveals Its First Work: Advanced AI Agents
- Quartz: Amazon wants its new AI agent to do stuff on the web for you
- AWS Machine Learning Blog: In this post, we explore how CrewAI’s open source agentic framework, combined with Amazon Bedrock, enables the creation of sophisticated multi-agent systems that can transform how businesses operate.
- AI ? SiliconANGLE: Amazon.com Inc. today introduced Nova Act, a new artificial intelligence agent that can take control of web browsers and take independent actions.
- THE DECODER: Nova Act is Amazon's foray into agentic AI that navigates your browser
- www.it-daily.net: Amazon Nova Act: AI agent for browser control presented
- Techzine Global: Amazon is making access to its frontier intelligence models easier with the launch of nova.amazon.com.
- AI News: Amazon Nova Act: A step towards smarter, web-native AI agents
- MarkTechPost: Meet Amazon Nova Act: An AI Agent that can Automate Web Tasks
- AI News | VentureBeat: What you need to know about Amazon Nova Act: the new AI agent SDK challenging OpenAI, Microsoft, Salesforce
- www.infoq.com: Amazon has announced an expansion of its generative AI capabilities with the introduction of nova.amazon.com, a platform designed to give developers easier access to its foundation models. This includes the newly unveiled Amazon Nova Act, an AI model specifically trained to execute actions within web browsers. By Robert Krzaczyński
Andrew Liszewski@The Verge
//
Amazon has announced Alexa+, a new, LLM-powered version of its popular voice assistant. This upgraded version will cost $19.99 per month, but will be included at no extra cost for Amazon Prime subscribers. Alexa+ boasts enhanced AI agent capabilities, enabling users to perform tasks like booking Ubers, creating study plans, and sending texts via voice command. These new features are intended to provide a more seamless and natural conversational experience. Early access to Alexa+ will begin in late March 2025 for customers with eligible Echo Show devices in the United States.
Amazon emphasizes that Alexa+ utilizes a "model agnostic" system, drawing on Amazon Bedrock and employing various AI models, including Amazon Nova and those from Anthropic, to optimize performance. This approach allows Alexa+ to choose the best model for each task, leveraging specialized "experts" for orchestrating services. With seamless integration into tens of thousands of devices and services, including news sources like Time, Reuters, and the Associated Press, Alexa+ provides accurate and real-time information.
Recommended read:
References :
- The Verge: Alexa Plus’ AI upgrades cost $19.99, but it’s all free with Prime
- bsky.app: Amazon has announced Alexa+, an LLM-powered version if Alexa that will cost $19.99 per month or free with Prime. It will provide typical AI agent capabilities like booking Ubers, creating study plans or texting a friend, all via voice command. Siri is now dead last when it comes to AI assistants. https://apnews.com/article/amazon-alexa-fee-ai-assistant-017c17bddfa6742d1e78873cdda3663f#
- THE DECODER: Alexa+: Amazon's new AI assistant launches for $19.99, free with Prime
- bsky.app: Amazon has announced Alexa+, an LLM-powered version if Alexa that will cost $19.99 per month or free with Prime.
- Techstrong.ai: Amazon’s New Alexa+ Is GenAI-Powered
- Dataconomy: Amazon revamps Alexa.com and updates its app
- techcrunch.com: Amazon Alexa+ can do your grocery shopping, too
- PCWorld: A new Alexa AI is coming: What it will cost and when you can try it
- Dataconomy: Amazon unveils AI-powered Alexa Plus
- PCMag Middle East ai: Amazon showed off the upgraded Alexa+ at a press event in New York City, revealing it can choose from a whole collection of generative AI models to fulfill your requests in a more conversational way. We got to check her out in action.
- Shelly Palmer: Amazon Unveils Alexa+
- PCMag Middle East ai: Amazon's AI-enhanced Alexa+ will be coming to virtually all Echo devices made in the last five years. That doesn't bode well if you were hoping for new models.
- Maginative: Amazon Unveils Alexa+: A Smarter, More Conversational AI Assistant
- AI News | VentureBeat: Rebuilding Alexa: How Amazon is mixing models, agents and browser-use for smarter AI
- techcrunch.com: Amazon’s new and improved Alexa experience, Alexa+, starts at $19.99 per month, or free for Amazon Prime subscribers.
- SiliconANGLE: Amazon debuts LLM-powered Alexa+ with expanded automation features
- Play HT: Overview of the features and capabilities of Amazon's new AI-powered Alexa+ service.
OODA OG@OODAloop
//
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced Ocelot, its first quantum computing chip, entering the competitive race against other tech giants like Google and Microsoft. The chip, developed by the AWS Center for Quantum Computing at the California Institute of Technology, represents the first generation of hardware that implements superior error correction. Amazon says it is a proof-of-principle demonstration—a step on the path to creating a larger machine that can deliver on the industry’s promised killer applications, such as fast and accurate simulations of new battery materials.
This new processor, dubbed Ocelot, aims to reduce the costs of implementing quantum error correction by up to 90% compared to current methods. It consists of nine qubits, five of which are "cat qubits" used to store information, and four transmons which monitor the information in the cat qubits. AWS researchers used Ocelot to encode a single error-corrected bit of information in its nine qubits, showing promise in overcoming the barrier that has made scaling up the technology difficult. Oskar Painter, the head of quantum hardware at AWS, said the design strategy requires only a 10th as many qubits per bit of information.
Recommended read:
References :
- OODAloop: Amazon.com Inc.’s cloud unit has built its first quantum-computing chip, joining a growing roster of technology companies showing off futuristic hardware.
- SiliconANGLE: Amazon Web Services Inc. today unveiled its first quantum computing chip and said it represents the first generation of hardware that implements superior error correction, a barrier that has made scaling up the technology difficult.
- www.technologyreview.com: Amazon Web Services today announced Ocelot, its first-generation quantum computing chip. While the chip has only rudimentary computing capability, the company says it is a proof-of-principle demonstration—a step on the path to creating a larger machine that can deliver on the industry’s promised killer applications, such as fast and accurate simulations of new battery materials.…
- ChinaTechNews.com: Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Thursday announced Ocelot, its first-generation quantum computing chip, as it enters the race against fellow tech giants in harnessing the experimental technology.
- Dataconomy: Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled a new quantum computing chip named Ocelot, designed to improve quantum error correction efficiency. This innovation could reduce the costs of quantum error correction by up to 90% compared to existing methods, a key challenge in quantum computing.
- CXO Insight Middle East: Amazon Web Services takes a quantum leap with its latest computing chip
- MoneyCheck: Amazon Web Services (AWS) Unveils Ocelot: First Quantum Chip Promises Major Error Correction Breakthrough
- GeekWire: Amazon's new quantum chip joins race to enable next era of computing
- The Quantum Insider: Amazon Web Services (AWS) introduced Ocelot, its first quantum computing chip, which the company labels a significant step toward building practical quantum computers capable of solving complex problems beyond the reach of conventional machines.
- Alex Jimenez: Amazon joins quantum race with 'cat-qubit' powered chip Amazon has become the third tech giant in as many months to announce a breakthrough in quantum computing - a technology that promises vast processing power but is beset by technical difficulties.
- www.techdigest.tv: Amazon has become the third tech giant in as many months to announce a breakthrough in quantum computing – a technology that promises vast processing power but is beset by technical difficulties.
- Alex Jimenez: Amazon has become the third tech giant in as many months to announce a breakthrough in quantum computing - a technology that promises vast processing power but is beset by technical difficulties.
Andrew Liszewski@The Verge
//
Amazon has unveiled Alexa+, a generative AI-powered upgrade to its digital assistant, Alexa. This reboot includes a monthly subscription fee, marking a significant shift for the service. The new AI assistant was revealed at a news conference in New York, with Amazon showcasing its enhanced capabilities.
Alexa+ is scheduled to roll out in March 2025 for $20 per month, but it will be available for free to Amazon Prime subscribers. The AI assistant will work on "almost every" Alexa device the company has shipped. The service promises advanced features such as booking concert tickets, making dinner reservations, and organizing information from handwritten documents.
Recommended read:
References :
- bsky.app: Details on new features and cost of Alexa+
- Play HT: Information on how conversational agents can improve customer experience
- Techstrong.ai: Details about Amazon's new Alexa+ GenAI-powered assistant.
- THE DECODER: Alexa+: Amazon's new AI assistant launches for $19.99, free with Prime
- Shelly Palmer: In a "better late than never" moment, Amazon has unveiled Alexa+: an advanced version of its voice assistant that integrates generative AI to enhance user interactions. Priced at $19.99 per month (but free for Amazon Prime members), the service is set to launch with early access in the U.S. next month, initially available on Echo Show devices, with plans for broader international and device expansion.
- PCMag Middle East ai: Will Amazon Prime Get More Expensive When Alexa+ Arrives? Probably. - The price of a Prime membership has been static since 2022. Adding a free, next-gen Alexa+ AI assistant to its list of perks is likely too good to be true.
- The Verge: Amazon has finally taken the wraps off its AI-enhanced version of Alexa, called Alexa Plus.
- AI News | VentureBeat: VentureBeat reports Rebuilding Alexa: How Amazon is mixing models, agents and browser-use for smarter AI
- PCMag Middle East ai: Meet the New Alexa+, She's Way Smarter, and a Lot Less Stiff
- Maginative: Maginative covers Amazon Unveils Alexa+: A Smarter, More Conversational AI Assistant
- The Verge: The Verge reports on Amazon's reinvention of Alexa with Alexa Plus.
@techstrong.ai
//
Amazon has recently launched "Interests," a new AI-powered feature designed to help customers discover products tailored to their hobbies and preferences. This AI assistant allows users to describe what they are shopping for using everyday language, prompting the system to proactively identify products based on personal preferences. Users can refine their searches by specifying preferred materials, colors, or price ranges, enabling hyper-specific shopping suggestions.
The Interests AI is currently available to a limited group of U.S. customers through the Amazon Shopping app and mobile website, with plans for broader access in the coming months. This development aligns with Amazon's increased focus on generative AI, joining initiatives like AI-generated review summaries and enhancements to its AI chatbot, Rufus, and the personal assistant Alexa. The company is also testing "Health AI," a health chatbot to answer medical questions and suggest relevant products.
Recommended read:
References :
- THE DECODER: Amazon has launched "Interests," a new AI-powered service that helps users discover products based on their hobbies and preferences.
- eWEEK: Amazon has unveiled a new AI-powered shopping assistant to personalize customers' experiences.
- techstrong.ai: TechStrong.ai: Amazon Rolls Out ‘Interests’ AI Feature For E-Commerce Shoppers
|
|
DeeperML - #amazon