Amazon has announced the acquisition of Bee, a technology startup that produces an artificial intelligence-powered wearable device designed to capture and process daily conversations. The deal, which reflects Amazon’s ongoing commitment to AI development, will see Bee’s team join Amazon further to enhance the tech giant’s personal AI offerings.
A wrist-worn AI that listens and learns
Bee is known for its compact, US$49.99 device that resembles a fitness tracker. The gadget continuously listens to the wearer’s environment, transcribing conversations and ambient audio using built-in artificial intelligence. These transcriptions are then analysed to produce personalised summaries, helpful reminders, and suggestions, all accessible through the Bee app.
To increase the accuracy and relevance of its insights, the device can also be permitted to access the user’s contacts, email, calendar, location, photos, and reminders. This integration enables the system to build a searchable log of daily interactions and activities, providing users with a more intuitive and proactive assistant experience.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo said the company is “joining Amazon to help bring truly personal, agentic AI to even more customers.” The move is seen as a significant step in Amazon’s efforts to expand its presence in the wearables and personalised tech market, particularly as competition in the AI sector continues to heat up.
Concerns about accuracy and privacy
While Bee’s technology has been praised for its innovation, it has also faced criticism regarding the accuracy of its audio analysis. The Verge’s Victoria Song, who tested the device, noted that it sometimes misinterpreted background noise from television, TikTok videos, music, or films as real-life conversations. Such confusion raised questions about the reliability of its insights and summaries.
Privacy has also been a key area of concern, especially with a device that constantly listens in on a user’s surroundings. Bee has previously stated that it does not store audio recordings, and users maintain control over what data is collected and used.
Responding to questions about Amazon’s privacy stance, company spokesperson Alexandra Miller emphasised Amazon’s longstanding commitment to data protection. “We’ve been strong stewards of customer data since our founding, and have never been in the business of selling our customers’ personal information to others,” said Miller. “We design our products to protect our customers’ privacy and security and to make it easy for them to be in control of their experience — and this approach would of course apply to Bee.”
She also noted that Amazon plans to work closely with Bee to provide users with even greater control over their data once the acquisition is finalised.
Deal terms and future plans
Amazon has not disclosed the financial terms of the acquisition, citing confidentiality. However, it has been confirmed that all of Bee’s employees have received offers to join Amazon, indicating a full team integration.
The purchase is expected to bolster Amazon’s efforts in developing more intelligent, context-aware AI services. With smart assistants like Alexa already widely used in homes, the integration of Bee’s wearable AI may signal a move towards more mobile, personalised assistance that goes beyond the living room.
Amazon has not yet detailed how Bee’s technology will be integrated into its existing product ecosystem or whether the Bee device will continue to be sold under its original branding. Nonetheless, the acquisition positions Amazon to compete more directly with other tech firms investing in wearable AI, such as Apple, Meta, and Google.
