Amazon announced the official launch of Alexa.com on Monday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, bringing its AI assistant to the web for Alexa Early Access customers. The new website allows users to interact with Alexa online, similar to experiences offered by other AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.

The move signifies Amazon's ambition to broaden Alexa's reach beyond its established presence in homes via devices like Echo smart speakers and screens, of which over 600 million have been sold globally. The company believes that for Alexa to remain competitive in the evolving AI landscape, it must be accessible across multiple platforms, including phones and the web. This expansion potentially opens Alexa to a wider audience, even those without dedicated Alexa-enabled devices.

Alongside the website launch, Amazon is updating its Alexa mobile app to feature a more "agent-forward experience." This update introduces a chatbot-style interface on the app's homepage, emphasizing conversational interaction with Alexa. While users could previously chat with Alexa through the app, the redesign prioritizes a more direct and intuitive chat-based experience.

This strategic shift reflects the growing importance of AI assistants in everyday life and the increasing demand for seamless access across various devices. By making Alexa available on the web, Amazon aims to tap into a broader user base and gather more data to further refine its AI models. The implications of this wider accessibility could be significant, potentially influencing how people interact with technology, access information, and manage daily tasks.

The rollout to Alexa Early Access customers is currently underway, with plans for wider availability in the future. The updated Alexa mobile app is also expected to roll out in the coming weeks. These developments signal Amazon's continued investment in AI and its commitment to making Alexa a ubiquitous and versatile AI assistant.