Amazon using AI to help Prime users catch up between seasons

Amazon has launched a new Video Recaps feature for Prime Video users. This new feature, which is now available in beta on select Prime Originals, is designed to help customers get a refresher before starting a new season of their favourite show. Video Recaps use AI to pinpoint a show’s most important plot points, then create a visual summary by combining them with synchronised voice narration, dialogue snippets, and music. This feature follows Prime Video's 2024 launch of X-Ray Recaps, another AI-powered tool that generates spoiler-free text summaries of key details, such as cliffhangers and character-driven plot points.

Commenting on the new feature, Gerard Medioni, VP of technology at Prime Video, said: “Video Recaps marks a groundbreaking application of generative AI for streaming. This first-of-its-kind feature demonstrates Prime Video’s ongoing commitment to innovation and making the viewing experience more accessible and enjoyable for customers.”

Video Recaps on Amazon Prime Video: Availability

Amazon has already started rolling out this feature, with Video Recaps now entering beta on select English-language Prime Original series in the US. This includes movies and shows like Fallout, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Upload, Bosch, and The Rig. Customers can use the feature on their living room devices, and support for more devices will be added in the coming months. Video Recaps are available only on Prime Video and are part of Amazon’s expanding set of AI-powered tools to improve the streaming experience.

Video Recaps on Amazon Prime Video: How it works

When an Amazon Prime Video user moves to the next season of a supported series, a recap button will appear on the show’s detail page. After selecting it, the customer can view any available recaps for that title, whether video or text-based, such as X-Ray Recaps. They can then choose the recap format they prefer.

Each video recap is created through several steps. Using generative AI, the feature reviews the season’s main plot points and character arcs to understand which moments may matter most to viewers before they begin the following season.

After that, the AI selects suitable video clips and pairs them with audio effects, dialogue segments, and music. These elements are combined with AI-generated voiceover narration to create a polished visual recap.