Launch of shopping bots
Amazon, Google, OpenAI and Walmart introduced AI-based tools that help search for and select products online. Testing revealed that different bots recommended the same gift for mom — a warm robe, sometimes with the inscription "Mama Bear".
Popularity and market expectations
According to Adobe, a third of Americans have already used artificial intelligence while shopping online, mainly for researching products. McKinsey analysts predict that by 2030 the market for agent-based shopping in the U.S. could reach $1 trillion.
Capabilities and limitations
The technology is still in the testing phase: bots mostly suggest options but do not complete purchases fully. Amazon restricts the operation of third-party services, promoting its own Rufus, while Walmart allows purchases through ChatGPT. OpenAI warns of possible errors and advises verifying information on sellers' websites. Perplexity offered an assistant with payments via PayPal and released the Comet browser for Android.
