Amazon is currently working towards the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements so Alexa can start providing healthcare advice and information.

The American electronic commerce and cloud computing company has set up a health and wellness team within its Alexa division to make the digital voice assistant helpful within the healthcare field.

The team are currently focusing on Alexa to provide assistance and advice in areas such as childcare, ageing issues, socially isolated problems and diabetes management.

Amazon has currently worked with pharmaceuticals giant Merck on a programme last year to encourage the creation of Alexa skills to help people with diabetes manage their care.

Other Alexa healthcare skills are also already available, such as Mayo Clinic First Aid, WebMD, Virtual Nurse, and KidsMD.

Written by Leah Alger