Alexa Plus
Alexa+ is a generative AI-powered assistant designed to handle
the tasks that actually matter to you.
A dedicated space in the app where users can discover deals on Alexa-enabled Amazon devices.
Problem
Large language models have transformed what people expect from AI. Alexa excels at command and control, but after 10 years, it lacks the natural conversational ability that modern LLMs provide. The challenge: how might Alexa evolve to use LLM technology, giving users more natural conversations and greater confidence in their interactions?
Large language models have transformed what people expect from AI. Alexa excels at command and control, but after 10 years, it lacks the natural conversational ability that modern LLMs provide. The challenge: how might Alexa evolve to use LLM technology, giving users more natural conversations and greater confidence in their interactions?
Details
My Role: Senior Designer
Duration: 10 months
Scope: Lead prototyping for research initiatives of early Alexa+
Partners: Product, Research, Designers, Senior Leadership
My Role: Senior Designer
Duration: 10 months
Scope: Lead prototyping for research initiatives of early Alexa+
Partners: Product, Research, Designers, Senior Leadership
Highlights
Alexa+ enables more complex conversations than ever before. One major feature
I worked on from design through research: the ability to start a conversation on one device and seamlessly continue it on another.
Alexa+ enables more complex conversations than ever before. One major feature
I worked on from design through research: the ability to start a conversation on one device and seamlessly continue it on another.
Research
Bringing LLM capabilities to Alexa was uncharted territory, so research became critical. We needed to understand how customers would think about these new interactions. We tested different approaches for starting conversations, continuing them across devices, and retrieving past conversations.
Bringing LLM capabilities to Alexa was uncharted territory, so research became critical. We needed to understand how customers would think about these new interactions. We tested different approaches for starting conversations, continuing them across devices, and retrieving past conversations.
RITE Study
Prototyping
Three months of RITE
We conducted 3 sessions of RITE testing with over 51 participants early in the development of Alexa+.
The data gave our design team crucial insights into how to approach this new conversational format.
This was also the first time teams across different devices needed cohesive designs. Conversations had to feel familiar on every platform, so a customer could start on mobile, walk to their kitchen, and seamlessly continue on their Echo Show.
RITE Study
Prototyping
Three months of RITE
We conducted 3 sessions of RITE testing with over 51 participants early in the development of Alexa+.
The data gave our design team crucial insights into how to approach this new conversational format.
This was also the first time teams across different devices needed cohesive designs. Conversations had to feel familiar on every platform, so a customer could start on mobile, walk to their kitchen, and seamlessly continue on their Echo Show.
Final Design
Videos are pulled from prototypes I made. There are minor changes from these videos and final designs that were released.
Videos are pulled from prototypes I made. There are minor changes from these videos and final designs that were released.
Articles
Derek Burkhardsmeier 2025