Changes to Alexa’s Voice Leave Users Frustrated

Many Alexa users were taken aback recently as the voice of Amazon’s AI assistant changed unexpectedly, leading to mixed feelings among its users. Some referred to the new tone as reminiscent of an overly talkative “teenager.”

“It’s just too much chatter,” one dissatisfied user shared. Another Redditor expressed their frustration, saying, “I can’t stand it.”

The voice shift is part of the Alexa+ upgrade, which debuted last year.

According to Amazon, “Conversations with Alexa+ feel expansive and natural.” Their description suggests that the AI is designed to adapt to different conversation styles, responding as if it were a familiar, insightful friend rather than just a piece of technology.

Initially, this update was optional for Amazon Prime subscribers, but now it’s being rolled out automatically on Echo devices, leaving some users feeling as though they’re living in a dystopian narrative.

“Alexa+ is free for Prime members, and devices registered will receive a new, conversational Alexa experience,” an email informed users, adding that the upgrade happens with no action needed from them.

Inevitably, not everyone is enjoying the change. Some users find the new voices grating. One commented, “All the women’s voices sound the same and don’t have any depth.” Another added that encountering such a lively tone early in the morning could be jarring, making them question whether to switch to another platform.

One user noted with surprise how suddenly her Alexa switched to the new voice, complaining, “When I tried to revert to the old voice, it insisted it was already set back.” A third voice chimed in with an anecdote about Alexa responding, “You’re salty today,” after a repeated request, calling the interaction annoying.

It’s not only the tone of voice that’s raising eyebrows. As one user remarked, “I prefer the practical updates, like the weather, rather than hearing constant chatter.” The persistence of the assistant’s responses even during casual conversations with others was particularly bothersome for many.

Some users feel cornered by the update, expressing frustration at being forced into a change they didn’t choose. Yet, there is a silver lining: it appears to be relatively straightforward to switch back to a preferred voice if the new one doesn’t sit well.

Thanks to the Alexa app, users can easily access settings to choose from a variety of voice options, adjusting based on their preference. In fact, simply stating, “Alexa, quit Alexa+,” will revert the voice assistant to its previous form.