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- Alexa+ Gets an AI Overhaul—But Not From Amazon?
Alexa+ Gets an AI Overhaul—But Not From Amazon?
Amazon’s Alexa + Turns to Anthropic’s Claude
Amazon is shaking up its AI strategy by integrating Anthropic’s Claude into the new Alexa+ instead of relying on an in-house large language model (LLM). This reliance on Anthropic’s Claude marks a significant shift for a company that historically builds its tech. Despite years of AI investment, Amazon’s internal models weren’t ready to compete with ChatGPT or Claude, leading to this unexpected partnership.
Although entirely fake, the video spread rapidly across social media. Scarlett Johansson is speaking out, denouncing the deepfake as an "unauthorized misuse of AI, regardless of its messaging" and urging U.S. lawmakers to take action.
✨✨Disruptive Take:
At first glance, this decision seems like a setback for Amazon’s AI ambitions. After all, the company has invested heavily in developing its large language models (LLMs). However, this decision highlights a fundamental truth: Cash alone doesn’t guarantee AI success. Building a world-class LLM requires more than money—it takes years of research, data refinement, and iterative improvements.
Strategically, this signals a shift in Amazon’s approach: AI integration over AI ownership. Instead of forcing an underwhelming in-house model onto Alexa, Amazon opted for performance-first pragmatism. The new Alexa+ isn’t tied to one AI model but will pull from multiple sources—including Amazon’s Titan LLM in some cases. This suggests that Amazon sees Alexa as an AI platform rather than a single-product ecosystem.
This is a game-changing win for Anthropic. Amazon’s decision puts Claude into millions of Alexa-enabled devices, significantly expanding its real-world usage. This elevates Anthropic to the top AI players, competing directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
The lesson? The best model wins in AI, not just the most prominent company.
Learn About MidwestCon 2025

MidwestCon 2025: Where Innovation Meets Inclusion
Mark your calendars! MidwestCon 2025 will take place this September. It will bring innovators, policymakers, and visionaries together to ensure that emerging technologies like AI remain accessible and human-centric.
📅Pre-Conference Activities: September 9
📅Main Conference: September 10-11
📍1819 Innovation Hub, Cincinnati, OH
New Podcast Alert: Disrupting Business with Gratitude!
What if gratitude was the key to your success? In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast, we sit down with Rachel DesRochers, founder of Gratitude Collective and a champion of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
She’s on a mission to show how gratitude isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a game-changer for business, leadership, and community impact.
Keep Disrupting!
Rob Richardson, Chief Curator of MidwestCon/Founder & CEO of Disruption Now