Amazon.com is Testing a new feature which involves AI-generated hosts speaking through product summaries. It’s similar to Google audio overviews which include AI-generated hosts who seem to have been plucked from an average podcast.
Amazon claims that these “AI shopping experts help save time by compiling research and providing product highlights for customers from product pages, reviews and insights.” leads me to the obvious question. Amazon is notorious for hosting false reviews. According to some studies, fake reviews make up more than 40% the total. Do these AI hosts use those reviews?
Amazon contacted Engadget and noted that it had “zero tolerance” to detect fake reviews. The company also boasted that “robust and long-standing policies that prohibit review abuse.” It did not say if AI hosts included an additional layer of protection against fake reviews.
Before the introduction by “expert” hosts, each audio summary will remind that it was generated using AI. Amazon says that these hosts are “like having helpful friends discuss potential purchases to make your shopping easier.”
and you might be able try this right now. Some US customers can access the mobile app to purchase certain products. These include the Ninja Blender, OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil, SHOKZ OpenRun PRO headphones, and others. Tap the “Hear the highlights” icon under the product. Amazon has said that it will be rolling out this feature to more customers in the near future.
This is a great tool for people with visual impairments, but the summaries I listened to didn’t save me any time. I could read reviews, check out product information, and even do a web-search in a fraction the time that it took for the friendly experts.
According to the company, this feature is helpful when “multitasking or on the go” But I don’t spend money mindlessly in that manner. Do you? This seems to be another AI thingamabob nobody asked for. But maybe it will find a niche. Amazon doesn’t seem to think so. This could be a great tool for the visually impaired.
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