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Gen Z VUI using Amazon Voice Assistant

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Studying various facets of Conversational Programming Design, a Voice-First Conversational Programming System Using Natural Language

HELPFUL LINK: https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/alexa/alexa-haus

Project Overview

The goal of this project was to create a Voice User Interface (VUI) using Amazon Alexa Blueprints, designed specifically for Gen Z users. The focus was to provide a casual, relatable experience, leveraging internet culture and youthful slang while ensuring efficiency and clarity in the interactions. By combining high-fidelity technologies with an engaging, friendly tone, the VUI was tailored to meet the expectations of the modern youth.

Goals and Objectives

  • Deliver Information Quickly and Casually: Make voice interactions feel as natural as possible, reflecting the casual vibe of conversations that Gen Z is used to in both real-life and online interactions.

  • Incorporate Familiar Internet Culture: Use internet-famous expressions and youth slang to connect with users on a more personal level, while ensuring the language remains clear and helpful.

  • Leverage High-Fidelity Technologies: Use modern tools like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SSML to create a scalable, high-performance system that delivers reliable responses at scale.

Blueprint 01 - How Many Days?

I assigned Alexa to calculate and provide the exact number of days remaining until my birthday. It's impressive how AI can simplify tasks like keeping track of a countdown with such ease.

Blueprint 02 - Study Break Q&A

I explored some education-related questions where Alexa responds with humor, showcasing a creative approach to engaging with Gen-Z users.

Blueprint 03 - Mental Health Jokes

I designed a conversation with Alexa where she shares lighthearted mental health jokes, adding a touch of humor to promote positivity and well-being.

Blueprint 04 - Cool roomies

An instructional guide, combining practical advice with Gen-Z terminology for a modern and relatable touch.

Blueprint 05 - Where is the cat?

Made cat care responses with sarcastic remarks, making the exchange both humorous and unconventional for feline enthusiasts living in this modern day.

Learning The Technological Leverage Tools

  • Amazon Alexa Blueprints: for VUI base.

  • Alexa Skills Kit (ASK): designed custom intents to deliver tailored responses and integrate external data.

  • SSML Tone Adjustment: refined Alexa's voice with inflections, pauses, and expressive delivery to match the casual, Gen Z tone.

  • VoiceFlow: prototyping to map and refine the conversational flow, ensuring smooth, natural interactions.

Understanding Advanced Features

  • Real-Time Data Integration: AWS Lambda fetched real-time data from APIs, ensuring users received up-to-date info like weather or calendar events.

  • NLP: Alexa Voice Services (AVS) enabled speech recognition, allowing the VUI to understand varied phrasing and accents for smooth, natural conversations.

  • Speech Synthesis & Tone: SSML adjusted Alexa's tone with natural pauses and intonation to reflect Gen Z’s informal yet engaging communication s

Testing and Iteration

Conducted mock rounds of testing with Gen Z peers to understand if they can relate to the words that are spoken most modernly, simulating common voice inputs and casual scenarios. Feedback focused on whether the VUI’s tone felt authentic and in line with their expectations of fun, informal conversations. Adjustments were made to ensure the VUI was not only responsive but also relatable, reflecting the language and style that resonates with Gen Z’s communication preferences.

  1. Challenge: Balancing the casual tone with clarity, while ensuring the information was still easy to understand and effective.

  2. Solution: Can utilise SSML to control Alexa's voice tone and pacing to ensured the casual tone never overshadows the clarity of the message. Responses were fun, but still clear enough for users to act on quickly.

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