Over the past few months, the AI industry has seen something pretty unique. Instead of just talking to chatbots, multiple brands have now embraced a world where AI agents are becoming a part of regular chat and messaging apps.
Instinct, which you can text or talk to, is one of the buzziest. And just a day ago, Meta also announced that users in the US can now chat with and call its Muse AI agent through the dedicated app.
Is texting an AI agent the next big way to shop?
The latest to join the bandwagon is Amazon’s Alexa for Shopping. Starting today, a small group of users in the US can text Alexa to shop after linking their phone numbers. Once that’s done, they just need to send a text message, and Alexa will handle their shopping.
For now, the feature is invite-only, but Amazon says it will roll out to millions more users in the coming weeks.
Amazon says Alexa can handle everything from your weekly groceries to finding products from just a sample picture. It can also handle conversational queries. For example, tell it you’re running low on cat litter, and it will understand, check your preferences, and place an order.
How much of your shopping can Alexa handle on its own?
It will even send suggestions so that users can compare items and make the best pick. And all of it happens right within the messaging app, without taking users to Amazon’s website or the mobile shopping app. From brainstorming and comparing products to adding them to the cart and placing orders on the user’s behalf, Alexa will handle it all.
The move is pretty interesting, because Amazon recently blocked third-party AI agents from its platform, while Best Buy embraced the idea.
Amazon notes that as you shop more with Alexa in your messaging app, it learns your preferences and taste, and will send you recommendations and comparable items accordingly. For example, you can tell Alexa that you follow a keto diet, and the next time you ask it to buy your groceries, it will make sure all the items fit a keto diet.
How does Alexa learn what you like to buy?
Once you sign up, the AI will be saved as Alexa Shopping in your phone’s contacts list, and from there, all you need to do is text it to get your shopping done. Users can also set up a weekly grocery order to further automate the whole process.
Moreover, Alexa will keep an eye on your current slate of orders. So if you want to add an item to an order you’ve already placed, Alexa can oblige and make the necessary changes. There is a layer of approval, though, ensuring that Alexa doesn’t go on a buying spree and leave you shocked by a huge bill.
Beyond shopping and recommendations, Alexa will also help users track price drops, manage shopping lists, and check delivery status. Amazon is broadly borrowing all the core features of the Alexa for Shopping experience on its website and app.
And the idea of getting it all done by simply sending a message sounds pretty convenient.