Amazon to Revamp Alexa with Anthropic's Claude AI Model

Amazon's Alexa's new version to be powered by Anthropic's AI model Claude

Amazon's (NASDAQ:AMZN) updated Alexa will be powered mainly by Anthropic's AI models called Claude rather than the tech giant's own AI, Reuters reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The company intends to charge between $5 and $10 per month for its new "Remarkable" version of Alexa, which is expected to be release in October, the report added. In June, Amazon revealed that it was working on improving Alexa and has already integrated gen-AI into the voice bot. The new version will use generative AI to answer complex questions, while still providing the "Classic" voice assistant for free, the news agency had reported earlier. However, preliminary versions of the new Alexa using in-house software struggled, sometimes taking six or seven seconds to recognize a prompt and reply, the report added. Thus Amazon turned to Claude, an AI chatbot developed by Anthropic -- which is backed by Amazon (AMZN) and Alphabet's (GOOGL) (GOOG) Google -- as it performed better than the company's own AI models. Alexa can play music and set timers but Amazon's efforts to boost users interest to shop via Alexa to generate more sales has been largely unsuccessful. The company's senior management had noted that 2024 is a critical year for Alexa to show it can generate meaningful revenue -- and the new paid version is seen as a way both to do that and keep pace with competitors. "Amazon uses many different technologies to power Alexa," a company spokesperson said in a statement, as per the report. "When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different models - including (Amazon AI model) Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners - to build the best experience for customers." The latest version, dubbed as Remarkable Alexa internally, is expected in October, with a preview of the new service anticipated at Amazon's annual devices and services event, which is usually held in September, the report added. The paid version of Alexa would have conversations with a user which build on previous questions and answers. The new version is aimed at enabling users to seek shopping advice such as which clothes to buy for a vacation and to collect news stories. It is also designed to comply with complicated requests, such as ordering food or drafting emails via a single prompt, according to the report. However, Amazon's plans for Alexa could be delayed or changed if the technology does not meet certain internal criteria, the report noted. Amazon is not the only company trying out AI models from other firms to potentially power its devices. Microsoft (MSFT) and Apple (AAPL) have also inked pacts with OpenAI to use its AI chatbot ChatGPT to power some of their products.

Amazon turns to Anthropic's Claude for Alexa AI revamp

Amazon's revamped Alexa due for release in October ahead of the U.S. holiday season will be powered primarily by Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence models, rather than its own AI, five people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Amazon plans to charge $5 to $10 a month for its new "Remarkable" version of Alexa as it will use powerful generative AI to answer complex queries, while still offering the "Classic" voice assistant for free, Reuters reported in June. But initial versions of the new Alexa using in-house software simply struggled for words, sometimes taking six or seven seconds to acknowledge a prompt and reply, one of the people said. That's why Amazon turned to Claude, an AI chatbot developed by startup Anthropic, as it performed better than the online retail giant's own AI models, the people said. Reuters based this story upon interviews with five people with direct knowledge of the Alexa strategy. All declined to be named as they are not authorized to discuss non-public matters. Alexa, accessed mainly through Amazon televisions and Echo devices, can set timers, play music, act as a central hub for smart home controls and answer one-off questions. But Amazon's attempts to convince users to shop through Alexa to generate more revenue have been mostly unsuccessful and the division remains unprofitable. As a result, senior management has stressed that 2024 is a critical year for Alexa to finally demonstrate it can generate meaningful sales - and the revamped paid version is seen as a way both to do that and keep pace with rivals. "Amazon uses many different technologies to power Alexa," a company spokeswoman said in a statement in response to detailed Reuters questions for this story. "When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different models - including (Amazon AI model) Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners - to build the best experience for customers," the spokeswoman said. Anthropic, in which Amazon owns a minority stake, declined to comment for this story. Anthropic launches newest AI model, three months after its last AI PARTNERSHIPS Amazon has typically eschewed relying on technology it hasn't developed in-house so it can ensure it has full control of the user experience, data collection and direct relationships with customers. But it would not be alone in turning to a partner to improve AI products. Microsoft and Apple, for example, have both struck partnerships with OpenAI to use its ChatGPT to power some of their products. The release of the Remarkable Alexa, as it is known internally, is expected in October, with a preview of the new service coming during Amazon's annual devices and services event typically held in September, the people said. Amazon has not yet said, however, when it plans to hold its showcase event, which will be the first major public appearance of its new devices chief, Panos Panay, who was hired last year to replace long-time executive David Limp. The wide release in late 2022 of ChatGPT, which gives full-sentence answers almost instantaneously to complicated queries, set off a frenzy of investing and corporate maneuvering to develop better AI software for a variety of functions, including image, video and voice services. By comparison, Amazon's decade-old Alexa appeared outmoded, Amazon workers have told Reuters. While Amazon has a mantra of "working backwards from the customer" to come up with new services, some of the people said that within the Alexa group, the emphasis since last year has instead been on keeping up with competitors in the AI race. Amazon workers also have expressed skepticism that customers would be willing to pay $60 to $120 per year for a service that's free today - on top of the $139 many already pay for their Prime memberships. OpenAI co-founder John Schulman quits ChatGPT-maker to join Anthropic ALEXA UPGRADES As envisioned, the paid version of Alexa would carry on conversations with a user that build on prior questions and answers, the people with knowledge of the Alexa strategy said. The upgraded Alexa is designed to allow users to seek shopping advice such as which clothes to buy for a vacation and to aggregate news stories, the people said. And it is meant to carry out more complicated requests, such as ordering food or drafting emails all from a single prompt. Amazon hopes the new Alexa will also be a supercharged home automation hub, remembering customer preferences so that, say, morning alarms are set, or the television knows to record favorite shows even when a user forgets to, they said. The company's plans for Alexa, however, could be delayed or altered if the technology fails to meet certain internal benchmarks, the people said, without giving further details. Bank of America analyst Justin Post estimated in June that there are roughly 100 million active Alexa users and that about 10% of those might opt for the paid version of Alexa. Assuming the low end of the monthly price range, that would bring in at least $600 million in annual sales. Amazon says it has sold 500 million Alexa-enabled devices but does not disclose how many active users there are. Announcing a deal to invest $4 billion in Anthropic in September last year, Amazon said its customers would gain early access to its technology. Reuters could not determine if Amazon would have to pay Anthropic additionally for the use of Claude in Alexa. Amazon declined to discuss the details of its agreements with the startup. Alphabet's Google has also invested at least $2 billion in Anthropic. The retailer, along with Google, is facing a formal probe from the UK's antitrust regulator over the Anthropic deal and its impact on competition. It announced an initial investigation in August and said it has 40 working days to decide whether to move it to a more heightened stage of scrutiny. The Washington Post earlier reported the October time frame for release of the new Alexa. Read Comments

Amazon to Launch New AI-Powered Alexa Using Anthropic's Claude

Amazon is set to release a revamped version of its Alexa voice assistant this October that will be powered by AI models from Anthropic's Claude, rather than Amazon's in-house AI technology, reports Reuters. This new AI-enhanced "Remarkable" Alexa is expected to offer more advanced capabilities compared to the current version. Users will reportedly be able to engage in more complex, context-aware conversations with the assistant. Some potential features include providing shopping advice for specific scenarios like vacation clothing recommendations, aggregating news stories, executing multi-step tasks from a single prompt such as ordering food or drafting emails, and enhanced home automation with improved ability to remember and apply user preferences. Amazon plans to offer this upgraded "Remarkable" Alexa as a paid subscription service, with pricing anticipated to be between $5 to $10 per month. In other words, it won't be included in existing Prime memberships. The existing "Classic" Alexa service will remain available for free. The move to partner with Anthropic for AI technology contrasts with Amazon's typical strategy of relying on in-house developments, but similar partnerships such as Microsoft and Apple's collaborations with OpenAI for ChatGPT integration indicate a broader shift in the tech industry. Amazon has invested $4 billion in Anthropic, which may have influenced this decision, but the full details of the agreement between the two companies regarding the use of Claude in Alexa have not been disclosed. Industry analysts estimate that there are approximately 100 million active Alexa users. If 10% of these users opt for the paid version, it could potentially generate at least $600 million in annual revenue for Amazon, assuming the lower end of the expected price range. The launch of this new Alexa comes at a critical time for Amazon's voice assistant division. Despite Alexa's widespread adoption, with Amazon claiming 500 million Alexa-enabled devices sold, it has struggled to generate significant revenue. Amazon's leadership has reportedly emphasized that 2024 is a crucial year for Alexa to demonstrate its ability to drive meaningful sales. While Amazon has confirmed its use of various AI models, including its own Titan model and those from partners, it has not specifically commented on the use of Claude for the new Alexa. The official unveiling of the new AI-powered Alexa is expected to take place at Amazon's annual devices and services event, typically held in September.

Amazon Taps Anthropic's Claude AI to Revitalize Alexa: Report - Decrypt

Amazon will use Anthropic's Claude AI to help power the next generation of Alexa -- internally dubbed "Remarkable Alexa or Projet Banyan" -- according to information shared with Reuters by sources familiar with the matter. The revelation comes after Amazon's proprietary large language model reportedly fell short of expectations, with prototype versions of the new Alexa struggling to process queries efficiently. Reuters reports that during internal testing, the in-house AI-powered Alexa exhibited delays of up to seven seconds in responding to user prompts. That's a performance lag deemed unacceptable in the fast-paced smart assistant market, as observed in the failure of hyped devices like the Humane AI pin or the Rabbit R1. Anthropic, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence research company founded by former OpenAI researchers, has gained prominence in the AI sector with its Claude model. Its AI offerings have become the main rival for OpenAI's models and are preferred by many due to their more natural response. This capability would align with Amazon's vision for a more sophisticated Alexa that can handle multifaceted queries and maintain coherent dialogues over time. Neither Amazon nor Anthropic explicitly confirmed the report, and an Amazon spokesperson said the company will power Alexa with a mix of technologies. "When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different models -- including [Amazon AI model] Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners -- to build the best experience for customers," Amazon said in a statement to Reuters. Anthropic did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Decrypt. Amazon aims to use AI to transform Alexa from a cost center into a revenue-generating powerhouse. The upgraded Alexa will come with a subscription model, looking to charge users between $5 and $10 monthly for access to these souped-up features. It's a gamble, asking folks to pay for something that's been free all along. But Amazon's betting big that the AI-driven enhancements will be worth the price tag. Despite its widespread adoption -- with over 500 million Alexa devices sold -- the Alexa division has struggled to drive meaningful sales or achieve profitability. Anthropic stands to gain significantly from this collaboration. The partnership with Amazon not only provides a massive platform for its AI technology but also positions Anthropic as a key player in the competitive AI assistant market -- just like OpenAI is benefiting from its partnership with Apple. The new Alexa's set to be a conversational powerhouse, enhanced by Claude's advanced language processing capabilities. According to Reuters, users can expect more natural conversations, with Alexa able to remember context from previous interactions. The AI will also offer personalized shopping advice, aggregate news stories, exhibit special behavior with children, and handle complex requests such as food ordering or email drafting. In the smart home domain, the new Alexa will also be able to handle more complex automation tasks. It's designed to learn user preferences over time, potentially setting morning alarms or recording favorite TV shows without explicit instructions.

Claude meets Alexa: Amazon will reportedly use Anthropic's AI to help power its voice assistant

Amazon will make its Alexa voice assistant more conversational with help from Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence technology, Reuters reported Friday morning, citing interviews with five people familiar with the matter. The Seattle-based tech giant is attempting to catch up to the capabilities of OpenAI's ChatGPT, which has expanded beyond text-based interactions via an increasingly sophisticated voice chat feature. Reuters reported previously that Amazon plans to charge a monthly fee of $5 to $10 for users to access the more conversational version of Alexa, while still offering a more basic version of its voice assistant for free. The decision to leverage Anthropic's technology came after homegrown versions of Alexa's generative AI responses "simply struggled for words, sometimes taking six or seven seconds to acknowledge a prompt and reply," the news agency reports. Amazon has invested $4 billion in Anthropic for a minority stake in the San Francisco-based AI company as part of a broader partnership that includes offering Anthropic's AI models via Amazon Web Services. On the surface, the move could be seen as a setback for Amazon in its two-year quest to dispel the notion that it has been caught flat-footed by the debut of ChatGPT and the broader rise of generative artificial intelligence. In a statement following the report, Amazon offered a more nuanced explanation. "Amazon uses many different technologies to power Alexa," a spokesperson told GeekWire. "When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different models -- including Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners -- to build the best experience for customers." Transitioning into a pitch for Amazon's managed service for AI models, the statement continued, "That's one of the key advantages of Amazon Bedrock -- it makes it easy for application developers to seamlessly use the world's highest-performing models, and multiple models, through a single API." As reflected in a recent talk by Swami Sivasubramanian, the AWS vice president of AI and data, it's becoming more common for companies to use a variety of AI models for single applications. It's not as simple as turning Alexa's voice over to Claude. Alexa uses a variety of foundational AI technologies, including speech recognition and text-to-speech, in addition to language models. Amazon last fall previewed a new feature, dubbed "Let's Chat," driven by generative artificial intelligence, designed to make its Alexa voice assistant more conversational on its Echo devices. It has yet to be released publicly. Since then, there's been a changing of the guard in the Amazon Devices & Services business, with former Microsoft executive Panos Panay joining Amazon to lead the division, replacing Dave Limp, who became Blue Origin CEO. Reuters and the Wall Street Journal have reported previously that the Amazon devices division is under internal pressure to improve its bottom line after years of financial losses. Amazon typically holds a launch event unveiling new devices and services each fall. A date for this year's event has yet to be announced.

Amazon could ditch its own AI for Claude in Alexa upgrade

The reporting outlet revealed that Amazon initially intended to use its in-house software for the revamped Alexa. However, early versions of the voice assistant struggled with responsiveness and sometimes took as much as "six or seven seconds to acknowledge a prompt and reply." Performance issues on this scale could have put Amazon's revamped Alexa at a significant disadvantage, given how impressive present-day AI models are. To avoid falling behind, Amazon has seemingly turned to Anthropic's Claude. It's worth noting that Amazon owns a minority stake in Anthropic, and it's not exactly uncommon for larger tech companies to turn to external partners to build their AI products. For instance, both Apple and Microsoft have partnered with OpenAI to use ChatGPT.

Amazon's AI-powered Alexa may use Anthropic's Claude model: Launch date, subscription and more - Times of India

Amazon is reportedly planning to use Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence (AI) models to power the upcoming version of its Alexa voice assistant. A report by the news agency Reuters cited five people familiar with this development to claim that Amazon is considering turning to the startup it backs for Alexa over its in-house AI models. The e-commerce giant is rumoured to launch a new version of Alexa in October ahead of the US holiday season.Earlier reports claim that the company may charge $5 to $10 a month for its new version of Alexa which will use generative AI to answer complex queries. Meanwhile, the company may continue offering the existing version of the voice assistant for free. Why Amazon is considering Anthropic's Claude AI for new Alexa Initially, the new version of Alexa that was using Amazon's in-house software reportedly struggled for words and sometimes even took six or seven seconds to acknowledge a prompt and reply. This is why Amazon may have turned to Claude as it performed better than the online retail giant's own AI models, one of the sources said to Reuters. Amazon's voice assistant, Alexa, which is primarily accessible through Amazon televisions and Echo devices, offers a range of features including setting timers, playing music, controlling smart home devices, and answering questions. However, Amazon's efforts to drive sales through Alexa have been largely unsuccessful, and the division remains unprofitable. As a result, the company has identified 2024 as a crucial year for Alexa to generate significant revenue. The revamped paid version of Alexa is seen as a potential solution to this challenge, as it could both boost revenue and help Amazon stay competitive with rivals. What the company said In a statement to Reuters, an Amazon spokeswoman said: "Amazon uses many different technologies to power Alexa. When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used and will continue to use, a variety of different models - including (Amazon AI model) Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners - to build the best experience for customers." The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

Amazon Leverages Anthropic's Claude AI To Transform Alexa Before Holiday Season: Report - Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)

In a significant move, Amazon.com Inc. AMZN is reportedly gearing up to revamp its voice assistant, Alexa, using Anthropic's Claude AI models, replacing its own AI. The new version, set for an October release, is designed to answer complex queries more efficiently. What Happened: The overhauled Alexa, set to launch in October, will primarily utilize Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence models, reported Reuters. This move comes after the initial versions of the new Alexa, built with in-house software, struggled to respond to prompts promptly. Amazon intends to charge $5 to $10 a month for its new "Remarkable" version of Alexa, which will leverage powerful generative AI to answer complex queries. The "Classic" voice assistant will continue to be available for free, the report added. Amazon's efforts to generate revenue through shopping via Alexa have not been very successful, making 2024 a pivotal year for Alexa to demonstrate its profitability. The revamped paid version is seen as a strategy to achieve this and compete with rivals. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Amazon has generally refrained from depending on technology it hasn't developed internally. However, it's not alone in turning to a partner to enhance AI products. Companies like Microsoft Corp. and Apple have also partnered with OpenAI to power some of their products. Amazon holds a minority stake in Anthropic, the developer of Claude AI. Anthropic has yet to respond to Benzinga's queries. See Also: Apple's September 9 'Glowtime' Event Featuring iPhone 16 Launch Could Kickstart A 'Historical Period,' Says Wedbush Analyst Dan Ives Why It Matters: Amazon's partnership with Anthropic, a company it invested in back in September 2023, is currently under investigation by a U.K. regulator for potential anti-competitive concerns. This investigation could pose a setback to the artificial intelligence sector. Earlier in June, Amazon announced plans for a major overhaul of its Alexa service, integrating conversational generative AI. This project, known internally as "Banyan," was set to introduce a two-tier system with a premium version potentially costing around $5 monthly. This marked the first major update to the voice assistant since its 2014 launch. Despite Alexa's presence in millions of households worldwide, the smart technology has been a significant cost to Amazon. The company launched its first Echo smart speaker with Alexa in 2014, but it wasn't until 2017 that the smart speaker gained global popularity, thanks to third-party products and integrations. However, Alexa has been a financial drain on Amazon's profits. Just days before the announcement of Alexa's overhaul, Anthropic released updates to the default system prompts for text-based dialogues on its AI platform, Claude.ai, as well as the Claude iOS and Android applications. Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Here's What Nvidia's Jensen Huang Had To Say About AMD CEO And His Cousin Lisa Su Image via Shutterstock This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Amazon Partners with Anthropic's AI to Power Remarkable Alexa

Amazon is turning to Anthropic's artificial intelligence (AI) model Claude to power the revamped version of its voice assistant, Alexa, according to sources familiar with the matter. The new version of Alexa, called "Remarkable," is set to be released in October and will utilize generative AI to answer complex queries. Amazon plans to charge a monthly fee of $5 to $10 for the Remarkable version, while still offering the free "Classic" voice assistant. The move to partner with Anthropic is notable for Amazon, as the company typically relies on its own in-house technology to maintain control over the user experience, data collection, and customer relationships. According to Reuters, the decision came after initial versions of Remarkable Alexa using in-house software struggled to respond to prompts effectively. The paid version of Alexa aims to offer more advanced features, including carrying on conversations that build on prior questions and answers. It will also provide shopping advice, aggregate news stories, and fulfill more complex requests, such as ordering food or drafting emails. Additionally, Amazon hopes the new Alexa will serve as a home automation hub, remembering customer preferences and automating tasks like setting alarms and recording favorite TV shows. The success of the paid version of Alexa is crucial for Amazon's efforts to generate meaningful sales and catch up with its rivals in the AI race. The company has been striving to convince users to shop through Alexa to increase revenue, but these endeavors have largely been unsuccessful, and the division remains unprofitable. Amazon aims to demonstrate Alexa's revenue-generating potential by 2024, and the revamped paid version is seen as a key strategy to achieve that goal. While Amazon has not disclosed the number of active Alexa users, Bank of America analyst Justin Post estimated that there are approximately 100 million active users. He predicted that around 10% of these users might opt for the paid version of Alexa, potentially bringing in at least $600 million in annual sales. However, skepticism remains among Amazon workers, who question whether customers will be willing to pay an additional fee on top of their existing Prime memberships. As PYMNTS reported, Anthropic is currently facing a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by three authors, who allege that the company built its AI models, including Claude, through the unauthorized use of copyrighted works. This lawsuit follows a previous legal action against Anthropic by Universal Music and two other labels, which claimed that the AI firm used artists' songs without consent to create similar copies of the lyrics. The lawsuit highlights the increasing challenges surrounding copyright infringement in the AI industry. Despite these legal challenges, Amazon is pushing forward with its plans to release the new version of Alexa in October. The company has not disclosed the details of its agreements with Anthropic, and it remains to be seen whether Amazon will have to pay additional fees for the use of Claude in Alexa.

Amazon turns to Anthropic's Claude for Alexa AI revamp

Amazon's new Alexa, set to launch in October, will be powered primarily by Anthropic's Claude AI models instead of Amazon's own. The upgraded version, named 'Remarkable', will cost between $5 to $10 monthly. This move is aimed at improving functionality and potentially increasing revenue, as the current free version has struggled to generate significant sales.

Amazon to Use Anthropic AI For New Version of Alexa

A new version of Amazon's Alexa voice assistant that the company plans to release in October will primarily use Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence models, Reuters reported on Friday. The reported reliance on technology from Anthropic, a startup backed by Amazon and Google, comes despite Amazon having spent billions of dollars over more than a decade developing its own technology to

Amazon's Remarkable Alexa will reportedly run on Claude AI and cost $5-10 per month

It'll arrived in October ahead of the holidays, according to five internal sources. Amazon's next-gen "Remarkable" Alexa assistant will be powered by Anthropic's Claude AI, cost $5-10 per month and arrive in October ahead of the holidays, five sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The company originally planned to use in-house software for the new chat assistant, but it reportedly struggled with latency issues, taking up to six or seven seconds to acknowledge a request and reply, one source said. By contrast, Claude -- a rival to Google's Bard, ChatGPT and others -- performed better. Amazon didn't confirm the story, but said that it uses language models from partners as well as its own. "When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different models -- including (Amazon AI model) Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners -- to build the best experience for customers," a spokesperson told Reuters. Since last year, reports indicated Amazon was planning to supercharge Alexa with generative AI features. Remarkable Alexa will supposedly allow complex prompts like composing and sending emails while ordering dinner, all from a single command. It will also offer upgraded home automation capability, deeper personalization and, of course, shopping advice. The latter is key for the company, as Alexa has long been an unprofitable business. Late last year, it laid off several hundred people who were working on the voice assistant. In September 2023, Amazon announced it had invested $4 billion in Anthropic, promising its customers early access to the AI. Earlier this year, Anthropic boasted that Claude 3 scored better than ChatGPT 4 on key benchmarks including math, coding, reasoning and knowledge. Remarkable Alexa (still an internal codename only) reportedly won't be offered as a Prime benefit and users may need new devices to run the upgraded AI properly. Any monthly fee is likely to be a tough sell to consumers, as Amazon will continue to offer its "classic" voice assistant for free. In any case, the company's plans could still change if the updated voice AI fails to meet internal benchmarks, Reuters' sources said.