Amazon is set to unveil its own AI chatbot, named 'Metis', following reports from Business Insider about the project's development. Similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, Metis will operate via web browsers, offering conversational text responses, source links, suggested follow-up queries, and image generation capabilities, as revealed in internal documents.

What sets Metis apart is its integration of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), allowing it to fetch information beyond its initial training data. This advanced capability promises to give Metis a competitive edge in the AI chatbot landscape, surpassing the limitations of existing models like ChatGPT, which have cutoff dates for their data reservoirs.

Metis is also poised to function as an 'AI agent', potentially serving as a smart home assistant capable of automating tasks such as controlling lights, organising travel itineraries, and booking flights. It operates on Amazon's new internal AI model called Olympus, an upgraded version of the existing Titan model used in Amazon's AI ecosystem, with expertise from the Alexa team enhancing its development.

However, opinions within Amazon about Metis are divided. While CEO Andy Jassy is reportedly invested in its development, others view the project as arriving late to an already crowded AI market dominated by advanced competitors. Amazon's previous AI efforts, including corporate chatbots and AI chips, have seen mixed success, indicating a need for Metis to succeed as a significant player in AI technology.

Why does it matter?

The launch of Metis is tentatively scheduled for September, potentially coinciding with Amazon's major event, although these plans remain subject to change. As Amazon navigates its entry into AI with Metis, the tech industry eagerly anticipates whether this new venture will mark a breakthrough or another challenge for the retail giant.