Yandex has opened access to YandexGPT 5 Lite for all users of its voice assistant, Alice. This lightweight version of Yandex’s newest neural network is now available in chat and on all smart devices that support Alice.
With this update, even users without a Pro subscription can take advantage of advanced AI features. They can now use Alice to handle everyday, educational, and professional tasks more efficiently. Pro subscribers will continue using the more powerful YandexGPT 5 version, which includes extra capabilities.
Alice’s responses have become more precise and informative with the integration of YandexGPT 5 Lite. The assistant now generates more creative ideas and follows the context of the conversation more closely. Tasks like solving math and logic problems no longer require Pro access.
In blind testing, the new Alice model based on YandexGPT 5 Lite outperformed the older non-Pro version in 89% of cases. It showed stronger results in terms of accuracy, completeness, and structure of responses.
The quality of Alice’s voice on smart speakers like Yandex Stations and TV Stations has also improved. She now gives clearer and more empathetic replies, keeping the flow of the conversation better than before.
Alice adapts her answers depending on the format. On voice devices, responses are shorter and easier to understand. In chat, they are more detailed, but still well-structured and informative.
A new “Search” button has been added to Alice’s chat interface. With it, users can ask complex questions and get concise answers based on multiple sources from the web. The assistant pulls only from external content, not from its internal training, and shows the list of sources used.
For those who want additional functionality, the Pro version offers extra tools like reasoning mode, file handling in chat, English learning, and settings for children and parents. It also supports live mode, where users can point their phone camera at an object and ask Alice about it in real time.
This update comes alongside other announcements made at the recent Search Day conference. Yandex also launched a redesigned Search experience with Alice, including the ability to generate text and images in the search bar, and new verticals for products, financial services, and real estate.
