Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) has reportedly launched a new AI chatbot named “Cedric” specifically for internal use. Designed to be a safer alternative to ChatGPT, Cedric aims to boost employee productivity and job satisfaction.
According to an internal document obtained by Business Insider, Cedric is described as a “general purpose AI chatbot” capable of assisting employees with tasks such as answering questions, summarizing documents, and brainstorming new ideas. This move reflects Amazon’s cautious approach to third-party AI tools like ChatGPT, stemming from security concerns. Earlier this year, the company implemented strict guidelines banning external AI tools for business purposes. Cedric emerges as a secure solution developed within Amazon’s ecosystem.
Cedric was built using Amazon’s Bedrock AI platform and leverages Anthropic’s Claude large language model. This combination ensures secure handling of highly confidential data, with all chat history stored in an encrypted database. Amazon encourages employees to utilize Cedric for creating memos, transforming meeting notes into emails, and generating innovative ideas. However, for code generation, employees are advised to use Amazon Q instead of Cedric.
Amazon’s development of Cedric aligns with its ongoing efforts to enhance AI capabilities internally. Earlier this year, reports surfaced about Amazon working on another AI chatbot codenamed “Metis.” Metis is designed to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT by providing real-time information and automating tasks using a technique called retrieval-augmented generation.
Beyond chatbots, Amazon has been actively integrating AI into its finance operations. Generative AI is now being utilized by finance teams to facilitate complex analyses, surpassing traditional rules-based systems and machine learning. This commitment to AI is evident in Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s remarks about the significant time savings achieved through Amazon Q, their generative AI assistant. He described it as a “game changer,” highlighting that Amazon Q’s efficiency is equivalent to “4,500 developer-years of work.”
Amazon’s launch of Cedric underscores its dedication to developing and deploying secure AI tools for internal use, empowering its workforce and driving innovation within the company.
