Amazon rolls out generative Alexa in Music app for early access

Amazon began rolling out its next generation, generative AI version of Alexa inside the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android on Tuesday, making the assistant available to customers enrolled in Alexa Early Access across all Amazon Music subscription tiers. Users with the latest app can activate the assistant by tapping a small A icon in the lower right corner, then ask for songs, identify tracks, and build or refine playlists through natural conversation.

Amazon said the integration brings conversational search and personalized curation directly into the streaming experience. The assistant can handle detailed requests, such as asking for fast-tempo jazz selections, creating mood- or place-specific playlists, or excluding certain artists. It also acts as an in-app music reference, answering questions about song meanings, artist influences, discographies, festival lineups, and chart history. Amazon provided sample prompts including, Create a playlist for driving along the Pacific Coast Highway at sunset, and requested that playlists be tailored to instruments, eras, or languages.

Amazon described the update as part of a broader push to embed generative AI across its devices and...