Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETAmazon has been focused on bringing generative AI to Alexa for the past few years, hitting multiple delays in launching new features that the company first announced in September 2023. The delayed Alexa 2.0 was poised for a 2025 release, and Amazon held a late February event where it made big announcements for the artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant. Amid rumors of Alexa 2.0 shortcomings, Amazon skipped its 2024 Devices and Services event, where the company typically announces new Alexa features and hardware devices. Instead, it unveiled Alexa+ last month, the voice assistant’s generative AI features, and finally put an ETA on its launch. Also: 7 exciting AI features coming with Alexa+ (and what Amazon devices support it)”Up until a couple of years ago, it was pretty difficult to invent with AI, and that changed with the arrival of foundational models and generative AI. This made the technology much more accessible, so people can see the power and magic of what generative AI can do,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said. The event, which took place on Feb. 26 in New York City, was Panos Panay’s first since joining the Devices and Services division after his Microsoft exit. In addition to new Alexa features, Amazon also made other announcements. Everything announced at Amazon’s February 2025 event More