Amazon is intensifying efforts to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities with the development of a new AI model named Olympus, aimed specifically at challenging leading competitors such as OpenAI and Google. This initiative reflects a broader trend of businesses increasingly integrating advanced AI technologies into their operations.

The Olympus model is reported to be a significant advancement in the realm of generative AI, as it promises not only to process text but also to analyse images and videos. This multifaceted approach could enhance Amazon's search functionalities and online services, allowing the AI to interpret visual scenes based on straightforward text prompts—such as examining a basketball shot—marking a notable leap in the company’s AI service offerings.

Furthermore, Olympus is touted to be twice the size of OpenAI's GPT-4, boasting two trillion parameters compared to the one trillion found in GPT-4. This expanded scale aims to bolster Amazon's existing products, including its voice assistant Alexa, while also integrating cutting-edge AI technology into its retail operations. The move is poised to establish Amazon as a formidable player in the competitive AI landscape, particularly against Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s capabilities through OpenAI.

In parallel with the Olympus development, Amazon has also made a substantial investment in Anthropic, a prominent company in the generative AI sector. The latest influx of $4 billion into Anthropic symbolizes Amazon's strategic positioning in the AI market, following an earlier investment made in 2023. This financing is indicative of Amazon’s intent to secure a robust foothold as the AI landscape evolves.

As Amazon advances its AI technology, Olympus is expected to play a critical role in the future of its AI-driven products. A key focus is the incorporation of generative AI into Alexa, which aims to create a more conversational and capable assistant that can engage with users on complex queries. This enhancement not only aims to refine user experience but also places Amazon in a competitive stance against other technology giants striving to develop the most sophisticated AI systems available.

Source: Noah Wire Services