Akash Ambani Unveils RIYA: India’s Own Voice-Enabled Search Assistant for Smarter Content Discovery

Reliance Jio is once again pushing boundaries in India’s digital ecosystem. Akash Ambani has officially launched RIYA, a voice-enabled search assistant designed to make content discovery seamless and natural for millions of users.

At a time when Indians are consuming content across multiple platforms — from OTT apps and news portals to music and podcasts — RIYA aims to be the one-stop solution for effortless search through voice commands.

What is RIYA?

RIYA (short for Reliance Intelligent Voice Assistant) is Jio’s latest AI-driven innovation that allows users to:

• Search movies, music, and shows using simple Hindi, English, or Hinglish commands.

• Get personalized recommendations based on past viewing/listening preferences.

• Navigate Jio’s growing ecosystem of apps faster than ever.
  

Why It Matters for India

Unlike global assistants like Siri or Alexa, RIYA is tailored to the Indian audience. That means better support for regional languages, Hinglish queries, and culturally relevant recommendations. For example, you could simply say:

• “RIYA, play latest Arijit Singh songs”

• “RIYA, show comedy web series in Hindi”

• “RIYA, cricket highlights kaunse app pe hain?”

This makes digital discovery easier for first-time internet users as well as seasoned streamers.

Akash Ambani’s Vision

Speaking at the launch, Akash Ambani highlighted Jio’s mission to make technology inclusive and intuitive for all Indians. RIYA is part of the company’s larger push into AI-powered digital services, strengthening Jio’s position as not just a telecom giant but also a content and technology leader.

The Bigger Picture

With RIYA, Jio is entering a competitive space that includes Google Assistant and Alexa. However, the Made-for-India approach could give it a strong edge. As OTT consumption, podcast listening, and regional language content surge, a voice assistant that truly “understands India” could change the way millions search and consume entertainment. Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

Q1. What is Jio’s RIYA? 👉 RIYA is a voice-enabled AI search assistant by Jio for easy discovery of movies, shows, music, and more.

Q2. How is RIYA different from Alexa or Siri? 👉 Unlike global assistants, RIYA is built for India with regional language support, Hinglish queries, and Jio app integration.

Q3. Can I use RIYA only on Jio devices? 👉 Initially, it’s expected to roll out within Jio apps and services, but future expansion may bring it to more platforms.

Q4. Which languages does RIYA support? 👉 English, Hindi, Hinglish, and select Indian regional languages (more to be added soon). Q5. Is RIYA free to use? 👉 Yes, it will likely be free for Jio users, integrated within existing apps.