Imagine this: you find a product you want, choose your price, and then stop thinking about it. Amazon’s shopping AI can now do that kind of work for you. The assistant, now called Alexa for Shopping, lets U.S. customers ask questions in natural English, compare products, check price history, set price alerts, and even tell Amazon to buy an item automatically when it reaches a target price. Amazon says the service has been available since February 2024, and newer features now include 30-, 90-, and 365-day price history, plus automatic purchasing with your default payment method when the price becomes low enough. (aboutamazon.com)
This is a big change in online shopping. In the past, shoppers had to keep checking a page again and again. Now they can say things like, “Buy these headphones when they’re 30% off,” or “Purchase this T-shirt when it’s $15 or less.” Amazon says its assistant checks prices regularly on your behalf. After the order is placed, the customer gets a notification, and Amazon offers free cancellation for 24 hours. Auto-buy requests can stay active for up to six months unless the user cancels them earlier. Amazon also says customers using this feature are saving about 20% on average per purchase. (aboutamazon.com)
Another interesting point is that the AI does not only work inside Amazon’s own store. With features such as Shop Direct and Buy for Me, shoppers can discover products from other brand websites too. For some eligible items, Amazon can complete the purchase on the brand’s site by securely using the customer’s encrypted shipping and payment information. The brand store, not Amazon, handles delivery, returns, exchanges, and customer service for those orders. In short, Amazon is trying to turn shopping from “search and click” into “ask and relax.” For English learners, it is also a useful example of how AI is changing everyday life in simple, practical ways. (aboutamazon.com)










