In a move to bolster internal efficiency while addressing privacy concerns, Amazon has introduced an internal AI chatbot named ‘Cedric.’ This new tool is designed to assist employees by answering questions and summarizing documents, and Amazon has gone as far as to suggest that Cedric is a more secure alternative to popular third-party AI platforms like ChatGPT.
According to a leaked internal document obtained by Business Insider, Amazon’s leadership is encouraging employees to use Cedric exclusively, warning against interacting with any other AI chatbots. The company emphasized that Cedric offers a safer environment for handling sensitive company information, drawing a clear line between its proprietary technology and external tools like ChatGPT.
Cedric: Amazon’s ‘Safer’ AI Solution
Amazon’s decision to develop Cedric stems from growing concerns over data security and the potential risks of using third-party AI platforms. In the leaked document, the company stresses that Cedric has been designed specifically for Amazon employees, offering both functionality and heightened security.
One of Cedric’s key features is its ability to answer questions efficiently while summarizing documents. This functionality is expected to significantly enhance productivity across departments. In addition, Cedric has been tailored to meet Amazon’s internal processes, offering solutions that align with the company’s specific needs.
The push for employees to rely solely on Cedric is part of a broader effort by Amazon to ensure confidential data is not inadvertently shared with external AI systems. The document warns against the use of tools like ChatGPT, which may expose sensitive company information.
Data Security Concerns Spark AI Developments
Amazon’s concerns about using external AI platforms, particularly ChatGPT, are not new. In January 2023, an internal memo from Amazon’s legal team warned employees against sharing proprietary data with ChatGPT. The memo highlighted incidents where ChatGPT’s output had mirrored internal Amazon data, sparking fears that third-party AI platforms might access confidential company information.
Cedric is Amazon’s answer to these concerns, offering a secure, closed-loop system that Amazon controls entirely. By keeping AI interactions within its own ecosystem, Amazon can mitigate the risks of data leaks and other potential security breaches.
A Trend in Custom AI Development
Amazon isn’t alone in its approach to developing in-house AI tools. Other major companies, including Accenture and Edelman, have also taken steps to create their own AI platforms. These tools, like Cedric, are designed to streamline workflows, reduce dependency on external software, and ensure tighter control over sensitive information.
By launching Cedric, Amazon is positioning itself at the forefront of this trend, reinforcing the notion that major corporations are increasingly wary of third-party AI platforms. The focus on internal tools reflects growing concerns about privacy, data ownership, and the potential misuse of proprietary information by external systems.
Cedric to Drive Innovation Beyond Coding
Amazon’s AI ambitions extend beyond Cedric. The company is looking to integrate AI across various areas of its business, with Amazon Web Services (AWS) playing a key role in this transformation. In an August 2023 meeting with employees, AWS CEO Matt Garman discussed the future of AI in software development, predicting that within the next two years, “most developers will not be coding.”
Instead, AI will take over much of the routine coding tasks, allowing engineers to focus on more creative and innovative projects. The shift, Garman suggests, will give developers more time to think about customer needs and explore new solutions, driving innovation across Amazon’s platforms.
Cedric is seen as a step in this direction, helping to reduce the manual workload of Amazon’s employees while maintaining a high level of security. With AI handling everyday tasks, engineers and other staff will have more bandwidth to focus on long-term strategy and innovation.
Amazon’s Workplace Policies and AI Integration
In addition to the development of Cedric, Amazon has made significant changes to its workplace policies, underscoring its commitment to building a strong corporate culture. CEO Andy Jassy recently announced that starting January 2024, Amazon employees would be required to work in the office five days a week, marking a shift from the hybrid models many companies adopted during the pandemic.
Jassy emphasized that “strengthening our culture remains a top priority,” indicating that Amazon sees the return to office work as a way to foster collaboration and innovation. With AI tools like Cedric in place to handle routine tasks, employees are expected to have more time for in-person brainstorming and strategic planning sessions, ultimately contributing to the company’s long-term goals.
Amazon’s unveiling of Cedric represents a significant step in the company’s AI journey, focusing on productivity and security. By encouraging employees to rely on Cedric and avoid external platforms like ChatGPT, Amazon is taking a proactive stance on data protection while preparing for a future where AI plays an even larger role in daily operations.
As more companies follow suit, developing proprietary AI tools to meet their specific needs, it is clear that the future of AI in the workplace will increasingly be shaped by concerns around security, efficiency, and innovation. Cedric, as Amazon’s latest AI endeavor, is poised to lead the charge in this new era of corporate AI use.
