We’ve all experienced it—you sit down excitedly to watch a new season of your favorite show, only to realize you can’t quite remember how the last one ended. That confusion is especially common when long gaps separate seasons. To address this, Amazon has introduced a new feature: AI-powered video recaps.
Currently in beta, the feature is available on select Prime Originals. It works by using artificial intelligence to identify key plot points, character arcs, memorable scenes, and significant dialogue across a season. The software compiles this information into a concise video recap, complete with AI-generated narration and music, creating what Amazon calls a “theatrical-quality visual recap” designed to refresh your memory before diving into a new season.
At launch, shows such as Fallout, Upload, and Bosch support the feature. Viewers can access these recaps by selecting the “Recap” button on a show’s details page. For now, though, the feature only works on living room devices. It didn’t function on Apple TV during testing, suggesting it may currently be limited to Amazon hardware like the Fire TV Stick. Amazon has stated that additional device support will roll out in the future.
Amazon’s Growing AI Ambitions
This isn’t Amazon’s first use of AI to enhance the viewing experience. Last year, the company released X-Ray Recaps—AI-generated text summaries that break down shows, episodes, and even specific moments, personalized to where you are in the story.
Yet, Amazon’s continued use of AI comes at a time of heightened tension between creators and technology companies. While X-Ray Recaps may not threaten jobs, the same can’t necessarily be said of these new video recaps, which could replace some human editing work.
Creators Push Back
Many creatives have voiced frustration over AI’s growing presence in entertainment. After the premiere of Apple TV’s Pluribus, for instance, the end credits included the message: “This show was made by humans.” Series creator Vince Gilligan has been especially blunt about his feelings, telling Variety, “I hate AI. It’s the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine.” He went on to describe the technology as “a bag of vapor” sold by “centibillionaires” chasing the next trillion-dollar milestone.
Despite such criticism, major streaming platforms continue to experiment with AI. Earlier this year, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that the company used AI to create a building-collapse sequence in the series The Eternauts. While AI’s footprint in production remains relatively small, its presence is growing—and it’s clear that Amazon plans to keep pushing forward.
