Alexa+ for Kids: New AI Features 'Explore' & 'Stories' | Amazon
Amazon Unveils AI-Powered Features for Kids: Explore with Alexa and Stories with Alexa
During the introduction of its next-generation AI assistant, Alexa+, Amazon announced the upcoming release of two innovative features specifically tailored for children. These new additions, known as “Explore with Alexa” and “Stories with Alexa,” are designed to enhance the experience for younger users.
New Features Leveraging Advanced AI
These features will be exclusively available to subscribers of Amazon Kids+. Amazon showcased these capabilities at a recent press conference held in New York City, emphasizing their purpose: to foster curiosity and stimulate creative thought in children.
Explore with Alexa: Interactive Learning
The “Explore” function allows children to pose questions to Alexa, prompting informative and engaging responses. For example, a child might inquire, “Can plants communicate with one another?” Alexa would then reply, “Plants do indeed communicate, though not through spoken language.”
Another example involves testing knowledge with statements like: “A rose is red and develops from buds. Is this statement accurate?” This encourages critical thinking and learning through interaction.
Stories with Alexa: Unleashing Creativity
“Stories with Alexa” empowers children to co-create narratives with the voice assistant. A child can initiate a story by requesting, “Alexa+, generate a story featuring a bearded dragon who plays the saxophone.”
Mara Segal, Director of Alexa at Amazon, highlighted the transformative nature of these features. “Alexa is not merely providing answers or reciting tales; she is actively stimulating their imaginative capacities.” She further explained that Alexa engages children through more fluid, conversational interactions and visually rich content.
Amazon Kids+ Subscription Details
Amazon Kids+ is offered at a monthly rate of $5.99 for Amazon Prime members and $7.99 for those without a Prime membership. This subscription provides access to a wide range of content, including books, videos, games, and applications.
The service is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 12, offering age-appropriate entertainment and educational resources.
- Explore with Alexa: Facilitates interactive learning through question-and-answer sessions.
- Stories with Alexa: Enables children to generate unique stories based on their prompts.
- Amazon Kids+: The subscription service providing access to these features and a library of content.
