Amazon is in the process of acquiring Bee, a San Francisco-based startup that produces an AI-powered wristband capable of analysing conversations. The device, which resembles a Fitbit, uses artificial intelligence to provide users with personalised summaries of their day, reminders and suggestions.
The wristband costs $49.99 (approximately £40) with a monthly subscription fee of $19. The startup launched the product last year. Bee's CEO, Maria de Lourdes Zollo, confirmed the acquisition on Tuesday, though the financial terms were not disclosed.
In a LinkedIn post, Zollo said the deal would bring “truly personal, agentic AI to even more customers”. She added: “What began as a dream with an incredible team and community now finds a new home at Amazon.”
Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the device, as its inbuilt microphones can pick up personal conversations. Early reviews also suggest it sometimes confuses real-life conversations with online videos and TV shows. Bee claims it does not store audio recordings, instead processing them in real-time and deleting them immediately. The company’s website states that none of the data is sold or used for AI training.
It remains unclear whether Amazon will maintain these privacy policies after the acquisition. The tech giant has previously faced criticism for sharing footage from Ring security cameras with law enforcement without user consent. The Independent has contacted Amazon for further details.
