Chill Chats: A Guide to Casual Conversations on Amazon

Are you tired of Alexa’s lengthy responses? Amazon has heard your plea and introduced a new “Brief” mode for Alexa+, offering users a more concise interaction with the voice assistant.

Along with the Brief mode, Amazon has also introduced “Chill” and “Sweet” conversation styles that allow users to customize Alexa’s tone and delivery on Alexa+ devices.

For example, in Brief mode, Alexa’s response to a query may be as simple as “All systems operational,” providing a quick and efficient interaction. Switching to Chill mode will result in a more relaxed response like “all systems are in harmony,” while Sweet mode offers a more enthusiastic reply such as “radiating pure joy!”

This new feature is a first for the voice assistant and is now available for Alexa+ users. To switch between personality styles, users can simply say “Alexa, change your personality style,” or adjust the settings in the Alexa app under device settings. These personality styles can also be paired with Alexa’s various voice options, including different genders and regional dialects.

While the default personality of Alexa remains an option, users now have the flexibility to tailor their interactions with the voice assistant according to their preferences.

Amazon has previously offered voice customization options for Alexa through paid celebrity add-ons like Samuel L. Jackson and Melissa McCarthy. However, these customizations only altered phrasing on a limited set of responses, unlike the system-wide personality adjustments now available.

The introduction of this new feature is part of Amazon’s broader Alexa+ overhaul, which has enhanced the voice assistant’s conversational abilities, enabling actions such as ordering takeout and booking dinner reservations. This upgrade was made available to all U.S. customers earlier this month, nearly a year after its initial unveiling.

Customizable personality features are becoming increasingly popular in consumer AI. For instance, ChatGPT allows users to adjust its tone and behavior through custom instructions, while Google’s Gemini offers various response styles. Microsoft has also been exploring similar concepts with a “Personality Studio” for Copilot and a “Real Talk” mode that mimics the user’s conversational style.