Amazon’s new Alexa+ powered feature can generate podcast episodes

Amazon announced Monday the latest update for Alexa+: the ability to generate podcast episodes on demand.

The new feature, called ‘Alexa Podcasts’, is rolling out to customers in the US today. Amazon describes the feature as a way to “turn any topic you’re curious about into a podcast episode, ready in minutes.”

To use the feature, users simply need to ask Alexa+ to create a podcast on a topic they are interested in. Users don’t have to upload documents, write scripts, or plan anything in advance. Instead, Alexa+ examines the request, gathers information, and generates a quick overview of what the episode will cover. From there, users can adjust things like the length, tone, and focus of the episode.

Once complete, Alexa+ uses AI-generated host voices to narrate the podcast. When the episode is ready, users will receive a notification via their Echo Show device and in the Alexa app. Episodes are also saved to the ‘Music’ and ‘More’ sections of the app so they can be replayed later.

The feature is another example of how Amazon is trying to make Alexa+ more than just a voice assistant. Instead of just 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 will likely spark some discussion. AI-generated voices and automated content continue to raise questions about ethics, accuracy, and the future of traditional creators. There are also concerns about how reliable AI-generated podcasts will be, especially when dealing with news or complex topics.

Amazon emphasized its partnerships with major news organizations to improve the accuracy and reliability of its content. The company says Alexa+ has access to real-time information through agreements with media outlets including Associated Press, Reuters, The Washington Post, Time, Forbes, Business Insider, Politico, USA Today, Condé Nast, Hearst and Vox Media, in addition to more than 200 local newspapers in the US.

In addition to podcasts, Amazon says it is exploring additional forms of personalized AI audio, including customized news feeds and content generated from users’ own documents and shared information.