Amazon Launches Text-Based Alexa Shopping Feature
Amazon introduced a text-based AI shopping assistant for select U.S. users to research and purchase products via messaging apps.
Amazon launched Alexa for Shopping on November 6, a text-based AI assistant that allows United States customers to research products, compare items, and complete purchases directly within their messaging apps. The service handles conversational queries, such as managing keto-friendly grocery lists or ordering cat litter, and provides the ability to track price drops and modify existing orders.
The feature is currently available to a small group of invited users, with a broader rollout to millions of customers expected in the coming weeks.
This launch occurs as the company moves to restrict third-party AI agents on its platform. Amazon recently blocked Meta's Muse AI agent, alleging that the tool stored customer credentials and accessed the store without authorization. The company is also engaged in litigation with Perplexity over its Comet shopping agent. While a court order blocked Comet in March, a U.S. appeals court overturned that ban in August.
