After years of attempts, it seems like Amazon is finally ready to enter the AI race with its ChatGPT-like software.
Amazon is developing a new generative AI model called “Metis” to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, Business Insider reported on Tuesday. Metis will be a Large Language Model (LLM) built on a similar structure to other AI chatbots.
According to the report, Metis will be able to respond to prompts with both text and visual content. Users could use Metis for real-time information like stock movements or local news. It will also be able to provide reliable source links to back its claims and present follow-up questions.
If accurate, these claims would make Metis the world’s most advanced AI chatbot to date. The main issue with LLMs today is their tendency to “hallucinate”, confidently making up facts and sources. Though generally reliable on widely available information, their “reasoning” is extremely limited.
Generative AI chatbots use extremely sophisticated algorithms to “predict” the text or image output but aren’t search engine browsers.
Metis will reportedly be announced at the Alexa conference in September, though the timeline may change. Business Insider reports that Metis and Alexa share some infrastructure, opening doors for future integration between the two AI systems.
Entering the AI race
With Metis, Amazon is looking at setting a firm foot in the AI race after years of negative reports. The e-commerce giant has tried to develop its own space in the AI sector since the explosion of the generative AI frenzy in late 2022.
Amazon tried a series of initiatives using its cloud services as a launchpad. The first was Bedrock, a B2B AI service that would have made it easier for businesses to integrate generative AI into their sites. Then with Amazon Q, an AI support for enterprise use, and with Rufus, an AI shopping assistant.
None of these initiatives took off the way Amazon intended. However, they likely gave Amazon the necessary insight for the launch of Metis.
Amazon is the second tech giant trying to topple ChatGPT’s dominance as the world’s most popular AI assistant. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) tried a similar move last year with Gemini, a chatbot integrated into Google Search Engine.
Though announced with pompous promises, Gemini failed to dethrone ChatGPT. Google’s software is currently rid of technical issues and its hallucinations appear far worse than its rival.
Gemini AI-based responses appear first in the Search answers for users that integrated the chatbot into Google. Last month, Gemini faced wide criticism for its completely inaccurate and sometimes dangerous responses to simple Google questions. Among others, Gemini said that “geologists recommend humans eat one rock per day” and that cheese sticks better to pizza with “non-toxic glue”.
It’s too early to predict how Metis will fare against ChatGPT. Amazon’s promises, however, aren’t far behind what Google promised for Gemini before its launch.
