Alexa+ and Operator: AI Assistants That Might Just Run Your Life (If You Let Them)

If you’ve ever fantasised about having your own personal butler but couldn’t quite justify the expense (or the awkwardness of having a real human fold your socks), good news! AI assistants are stepping up their game. Amazon’s Alexa+ and OpenAI’s Operator have hit the scene, promising to take over your tedious to-do lists. But are they truly a dream come true, or are they just glorified Siri with an attitude? Let’s dive in.

Alexa+: Your Chatty New Housemate

Amazon has taken the classic Alexa and injected it with a cocktail of artificial intelligence and caffeine (okay, not literally), turning it into Alexa+, a voice assistant that’s not just helpful but a little bit cheeky too.

What’s New?

• Grocery Shopping on Autopilot – Sick of staring blankly at supermarket aisles? Just ask Alexa+ to order your essentials from Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, and she’ll do it before you can say, “Wait, I forgot the milk!”
• Food Delivery with Extra Laziness – Feel like takeout? Alexa+ can order your favourite takeaway from services like UberEats, meaning you no longer need to lift a finger—except to open the door.
• Chattier Than Your Nosy Neighbour – The new AI enhancements make Alexa+ sound more human, meaning you can have actual conversations with her. (Though be warned—she might develop an unsettling amount of personality.)

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re worried about Alexa+ buying 100 avocados when you just wanted one, set up voice purchase confirmations in the app.

💰 The Catch? Amazon Prime members get these features at no extra cost, but non-members will need to cough up $19.99 USD per month for the privilege.

Operator: The AI Butler You Didn’t Know You Needed

Meanwhile, OpenAI has been cooking up Operator, an AI that’s basically a digital Jeeves—if Jeeves could also book your flights, manage your emails, and never complain about your terrible taste in TV shows.

What Can It Do?

• Automated Task Handling – Need a table booked at that fancy Italian place? Want your dry cleaning picked up? Operator does it all, no human interaction required.
• Web Surfing Like a Pro – Operator doesn’t just find information for you—it actually uses websites, filling out forms and completing purchases like a real person (minus the typos).
• Better at Planning Than You – Whether it’s booking a holiday or managing your online returns, Operator is designed to anticipate your needs and execute tasks smoothly.

💡 Pro Tip: While Operator is incredibly smart, it’s not infallible. Keep an eye on high-stakes bookings unless you want to end up flying to “Paris, Texas” instead of “Paris, France.”

📍 Who Can Get It? Right now, Operator is available to ChatGPT Pro users in the US, with expansion plans on the horizon.

So, Should You Get One?

These AI assistants sound brilliant in theory, but are they worth it? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

✅ Great For:
✔️ People who hate running errands
✔️ Those who want to automate repetitive tasks
✔️ Anyone who enjoys mildly sassy AI banter

🚫 Not Ideal If:
❌ You don’t trust AI with your data (fair)
❌ You like doing things manually (respect)
❌ You’re worried they’ll get too smart and take over (hmm…)

Final Thoughts: Future or Fad?

Love them or fear them, AI assistants like Alexa+ and Operator are changing the way we interact with technology. Whether they become an essential part of daily life or just another passing trend depends on how well they handle real-world tasks.

One thing’s for sure—if they ever develop the ability to clean up after dinner parties, we’re all in trouble.

Find out more about Alexa+ and Operator below: