• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechBlue Ribbon Companies

Amazon’s Alexa Now Answers Health-Related Questions Using WebMD

By
Kate Samuelson
Kate Samuelson
By
Kate Samuelson
Kate Samuelson
March 7, 2017, 5:47 PM ET
Amazon.com Inc. Launches Its Echo Home Assistant In The U.K.
An attendee holds an "Echo Dot" device during the U.K. launch event for the Amazon.com Inc. Echo voice-controlled home assistant speaker in this arranged photograph in London, U.K., on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The Seattle-based company today announced that its Echo product line will be available in the U.K. and Germany starting in the fall, the first time the gadget will be available outside the U.S. Photographer: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg via Getty Images

Instead of turning to Google with a health-related question, Amazon has made it so Alexa can scour WebMD to answer users’ medical queries.

Starting today, users can question their Alexa-enabled devices, such as the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Fire TV, about health-related topics, according to a press release. Users can ask about everything from the definition of various conditions (“Alexa, ask WebMD to tell me about type 2 diabetes”), to the side effect of certain substances (“Alexa, ask WebMD what are the side effects of steroids”) and treatment recommendations (“Alexa, ask WebMD how to treat a sore throat”).

With the help of WebMD (WBMD), Alexa devices will respond with physician-reviewed, medically appropriate answers in plain, accessible language, the press release states. In addition to providing answers via voice, WebMD will also give users the opportunity to request additional information to be sent in text form to their Alexa app.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

“We’re excited that WebMD is bringing its skill to Alexa,” Rob Pulciani, director of Amazon Alexa (AMZN), said in a statement. “With the WebMD skill, customers can get answers to health questions simply by asking Alexa. It highlights the convenience of a more natural spoken language experience.”

About the Author
By Kate Samuelson
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.