Amazon Alexa Powers Vanguard Voice-Activated Proxy Voting for $3 Trillion AUM
AMZN•Amazon and Vanguard integrate voice-activated proxy voting through Alexa, enabling index fund investors with over $3 trillion AUM to cast votes using predefined policy menus via simple voice commands. It will expand to $6 trillion AUM by end-2027, cutting voting friction and boosting retail engagement.
1. Partnership Overview
Amazon has partnered with Vanguard to embed proxy voting into Alexa, marking the first voice-activated investor engagement tool. Over $3 trillion in eligible Vanguard index fund assets can now access vote menus via simple voice commands.
2. Investor Choice Program Details
Vanguard’s investor choice program offers five predefined voting policies—including management recommendations, Vanguard fund policy, abstention, ESG-focused criteria and materiality-based standards. Investors select a policy once and proxies across thousands of companies are voted automatically.
3. Alexa Integration User Experience
Investors can say “Alexa, take me to Vanguard investor choice” to review program details or receive a direct link in the Alexa app. This reduces setup steps, aiming to match the convenience of ordering a cup of coffee or hailing a ride.
4. Expansion and Growth Outlook
The feature currently covers over $3 trillion of AUM and will extend to all U.S. equity index funds—over $6 trillion AUM—by end-2027. Vanguard expects the expansion to drive a significant rise in retail proxy voting participation.
