Amazon’s new Alexa+ feature can create podcast episodes

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

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

To use this feature, all users have to do is ask Alexa+ to create a podcast about a topic they’re interested in. Users don’t need to upload documents, write scripts, or plan anything in advance. Instead, Alexa+ searches the request, collects the information, and creates a quick overview of what the episode will cover. From there, users can adjust things like loop length, tone, and focus.

Once that’s done, Alexa+ uses the host’s AI-generated voices to narrate the podcast. When the ring is ready, users receive a notification through their Echo Show device and within the Alexa app. Episodes are also saved to the “Music” and “More” sections of the app so they can be replayed later.

This feature is another example of how Amazon is trying to turn Alexa+ into more than just a voice assistant. Instead of just answering questions or controlling smart home devices, Alexa+ is starting to act as a dedicated AI content creator.

Meanwhile, the launch is likely to spark some controversy. AI-generated voices and automated content continue to raise questions about ethics, accuracy, and the future of traditional creators. There are also concerns about the reliability of AI-generated podcasts, especially when covering news or complex topics.

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

Beyond podcasts, Amazon says it is exploring additional forms of personalized AI audio, including personalized news summaries, content generated from users’ private documents, and shared information.