Amazon introduces AI shopping assistant for search bar, powered by Alexa+
Love it or not, Amazon is placing AI at the heart of the shopping experience. On Wednesday, the company unveiled “Alexa for Shopping,” a new personalized AI shopping assistant powered by Alexa+.
Notably, this new experience replaces Rufus, the generative AI shopping assistant launched in 2024. According to Amazon, Alexa for Shopping delivers a voice- and touch-enabled shopping experience across mobile, desktop, and Echo Show smart displays. Whereas Rufus focused on product discovery and comparison, Alexa for Shopping aims to provide more tailored recommendations and automate shopping across Amazon and other online retailers.
Now available to U.S. customers, Alexa for Shopping can answer queries ranging from “What’s a good skincare routine for men?” to “When did I last order AA batteries?” Users can type questions into the main search bar or the dedicated Alexa for Shopping chat window, and Alexa will respond with tailored answers, recommendations, and even custom shopping guides. The company states that the assistant understands customers’ habits, preferences, and purchase history to deliver “that connected, personalized assistance to how you shop,” making it “more personal and more helpful over time.”

Image credit: Amazon
Beyond answering questions, Alexa for Shopping can compare products, track prices, and even set up recurring orders for essentials such as pet food or paper towels. For instance, you can tell Alexa, “Add this sunscreen to my cart if the price drops to $10,” and it will automatically handle the purchase when the price drops.
Additionally, the assistant can extend beyond Amazon’s marketplace, shopping at other online stores and using its “Buy for Me” feature to handle purchases on your behalf. This convenience comes with a touch of controversy, given rising concerns about AI autonomy and privacy.
The launch of Alexa for Shopping follows closely after Amazon introduced its 30-minute delivery service, “Amazon Now,” in dozens of U.S. cities, along with a new AI-powered feature that generates real-time conversational audio responses to customer product questions.
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Love it or not, Amazon is placing AI at the heart of the shopping experience. On Wednesday, the company unveiled “Alexa for Shopping,” a new personalized AI shopping assistant powered by Alexa+.
Notably, this new experience replaces Rufus, the generative AI shopping assistant launched in 2024. According to Amazon, Alexa for Shopping delivers a voice- and touch-enabled shopping experience across mobile, desktop, and Echo Show smart displays. Whereas Rufus focused on product discovery and comparison, Alexa for Shopping aims to provide more tailored recommendations and automate shopping across Amazon and other online retailers.
Now available to U.S. customers, Alexa for Shopping can answer queries ranging from “What’s a good skincare routine for men?” to “When did I last order AA batteries?” Users can type questions into the main search bar or the dedicated Alexa for Shopping chat window, and Alexa will respond with tailored answers, recommendations, and even custom shopping guides. The company states that the assistant understands customers’ habits, preferences, and purchase history to deliver “that connected, personalized assistance to how you shop,” making it “more personal and more helpful over time.”

Image credit: Amazon
Beyond answering questions, Alexa for Shopping can compare products, track prices, and even set up recurring orders for essentials such as pet food or paper towels. For instance, you can tell Alexa, “Add this sunscreen to my cart if the price drops to $10,” and it will automatically handle the purchase when the price drops.
Additionally, the assistant can extend beyond Amazon’s marketplace, shopping at other online stores and using its “Buy for Me” feature to handle purchases on your behalf. This convenience comes with a touch of controversy, given rising concerns about AI autonomy and privacy.
The launch of Alexa for Shopping follows closely after Amazon introduced its 30-minute delivery service, “Amazon Now,” in dozens of U.S. cities, along with a new AI-powered feature that generates real-time conversational audio responses to customer product questions.
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