Amazon acquires Snackable AI to boost podcast offerings

The acquisition is expected to enhance Amazon's podcast offering and improve the platform's podcast features.

Share

According to recent reports, Amazon has acquired Snackable AI, an audio content discovery engine that uses AI to add structure and metadata to audio and video content. The deal was reportedly completed in December 2022, although the financial terms have not been disclosed. Snackable AI’s technology provides a quick and easy way to consume content by offering an “at-a-glance” view to enable quick access. Following the acquisition, Snackable AI’s founder and CEO, Mari Joller, is now an AI and machine learning product leader at Amazon Music, where she leads a team of engineers and computational linguists to build AI-powered products for Amazon Music Podcasts’ customers. This move is part of Amazon’s broader effort to incorporate AI-powered features into its products, which was revealed during its latest quarterly earnings call by CEO Andy Jassy.

About Snackable AI

Snackable AI is a technology company founded in 2018 that specializes in using AI to enhance the consumption of video and audio content by providing structure and metadata. With its innovative technology, Snackable AI has enabled users to view and navigate content quickly and efficiently, thanks to its AI-generated chapters and highlights. The platform has been successful in attracting significant investment, with the company raising $3.1 million in funding before its acquisition.

Following the acquisition, Snackable AI’s founder and CEO, Mari Joller, has taken on a new role as an AI and machine learning product leader at Amazon Music. Joller is now leading a team of talented engineers, applied scientists, and computational linguists to create AI-powered products for Amazon Music Podcasts customers. Joller’s experience in AI and machine learning makes her a valuable addition to Amazon’s team, and her contributions are expected to help improve Amazon’s podcast features, making it easier for users to discover new podcasts and consume their favorite content seamlessly.

Amazon’s acquisition of Snackable AI is a strategic move aimed at enhancing its podcast platform’s features and improving user experience. As AI and machine learning continue to transform the tech industry, the integration of Snackable AI’s technology into Amazon’s platform will help the company stay ahead of the curve and provide customers with a cutting-edge podcast experience.

Enhancing podcasts with AI

Credits: New York Post

Since introducing podcasts to its Music platform in 2020, Amazon has been expanding its podcast offerings with innovative features like synched transcripts and ad-free top podcasts for Prime members. In addition, Amazon has launched “Podcast Previews” to aid customers in discovering new content.

The recent acquisition of Snackable AI by Amazon comes at a time when tech giants such as Google and Microsoft are in a race to integrate AI-powered features into their products after the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. During a recent earnings call, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy confirmed that the company is developing a more “generalized and capable” large language model to power Alexa.

By acquiring Snackable AI, Amazon has gained access to a platform that uses AI to enhance the structure and metadata of audio and video content, allowing customers to navigate and consume content more easily. Amazon is expected to further improve the podcast experience for users with this technology. As Amazon continues to invest in AI-powered features, we can expect further innovations in the podcast market and beyond. With the incorporation of Snackable AI’s technology, Amazon is poised to consolidate its position as a leader in the podcast industry.

It is noteworthy that Amazon’s acquisition of Snackable AI reflects its continuing commitment to provide customers with the latest and most advanced technology. The acquisition also indicates Amazon’s intention to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving tech industry, where AI-powered features have become increasingly important.

Mari Joller, the founder and CEO of Snackable AI, has updated her LinkedIn profile to indicate that her company has joined Amazon to create new and innovative experiences for Amazon Music Podcasts customers. Before its acquisition by Amazon, Snackable AI had raised $3.1 million in funding.

Amazon has been expanding its podcast offerings since introducing the feature in 2020, with features such as synched transcripts and ad-free top podcasts for Prime members. The Amazon Music app now includes a “Podcast Previews” feature to help users discover new content. At the same time, Amazon has also expanded its music catalog to include 100 million songs, aiming to compete with other music services like Spotify and Apple Music.

The acquisition of Snackable AI comes at a time when major tech companies like Microsoft and Google are investing in AI-powered features, following the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. By incorporating Snackable AI’s technology, Amazon is expected to enhance the structure and metadata of its audio and video content, ultimately improving the podcast experience for its customers.

Read more

Recommended For You