Amazon Prime Video Adds Video Recap Feature In Latest AI-Powered Streaming Move

Amazon Prime Video is rolling out a video recap feature, aiming to help viewers brush up on key plot points from past episodes and seasons before they play newer ones.

The AI-driven offering creates “theatrical-quality” season recaps with synchronized narration, dialogue and music. The feature builds on last year’s launch of X-Ray Recaps, which summarize episodes in text form, without spoilers.

The recaps are accessible via a button on the show page, which appears next to buttons for trailers. The feature is in beta for select English-language Prime original series in the U.S., including Fallout, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Upload, Bosch, and The Rig.

While recaps are nothing new, they usually occur within a specific episode or, in the linear paradigm, directly before an episode begins. In the new Prime Video setup, the recaps will be available as stand-alone elements alongside other show materials.

Each video recap results from a multistep process, according to Prime Video. Generative AI tools analyze a season’s key plot points and character arcs to determine key moments that will resonate with viewers heading into the next season. Once the most compelling video clips are identified, the system combines them with audio effects, dialogue snippets and music. These elements are woven together with an overarching AI-generated voiceover.

“Video Recaps marks a groundbreaking application of generative AI for streaming,” said Gérard Medioni, VP of Technology at Prime Video, in a statement. “This first-of-its-kind feature demonstrates Prime Video’s ongoing commitment to innovation and making the viewing experience more accessible and enjoyable for customers.”

In its coverage of live sports as well as its advertising operation, Prime Video has been ramping up its use of AI tools. On a larger corporate level, Amazon this week announced a $15 billion bond offering, with proceeds helping to fund an ongoing push into AI. Spending on the technology in 2025 is on track to reach $125 billion as Amazon jockeys with other tech giants in the booming sector.