**Amazon Copies NotebookLM in the Worst Way with AI Podcasts**
Amazon has just launched Alexa Podcasts, a new feature that uses AI to curate episodes for Alexa Plus users. But don’t get too excited – this isn’t some revolutionary new AI tool. Instead, it’s a lazy copycat move that highlights the biggest problem with AI right now: the lack of creativity.
The new feature “pulls information from more than 200 trusted news and information sources,” which is a vague phrase that doesn’t really tell us anything. But here’s what it means: Alexa Podcasts takes existing content from other sources and reorganizes it into a podcast format. **That’s it.**
NotebookLM, a large language model developed by Meta, is a more sophisticated AI tool that can generate original content on a wide range of topics. It’s a real game-changer. Amazon, however, has simply taken NotebookLM’s idea and watered it down to create a shallow AI-powered podcast feature.
What this means for users
What’s the practical takeaway here? Well, if you’re an Alexa Plus user, you can now listen to pre-curated podcasts on your Alexa device. Yay. But if you’re looking for something more substantial from your AI, you’re out of luck. This is a missed opportunity for Amazon to push the boundaries of what AI can do.
The state of AI creativity
The lack of creativity in AI is a major problem right now. We’re seeing companies like Amazon and others copy existing ideas instead of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s a lazy approach that fails to deliver real value to users.
What’s next?
The future of AI is bright, but we need to see more innovation and creativity from companies like Amazon. Instead of copying NotebookLM, Amazon should be working on more sophisticated AI tools that can generate original content and provide real value to users.
