I attempted Amazon’s new AI procuring software, and it is far more helpful than I anticipated

In the event you’re something like me — consistently testing each new AI tool for my job and admittedly a little bit of an online shopaholic — Amazon’s new AI-powered “Hear the highlights” characteristic in its Buying app is true up your alley.

Amazon recently announced it is utilizing massive language fashions to investigate product particulars, comb by way of evaluations, and even compile net sources to generate a dialog between an “AI host” and an “AI professional.” The thought is, you will not need to wade by way of lists of specs, dig into lengthy descriptions, or scroll by way of buyer evaluations to resolve if an merchandise’s price shopping for — AI voices will let you know.

Is that this genuinely helpful or simply one other AI gimmick? I needed to know

I opened the Amazon app, tapped the brand new “Hear the highlights” button on a Keurig Okay-Elite product itemizing, and gave it a spin. An unnamed AI host kicked issues off by asking “Sophia” (a so-called culinary professional) what makes the Okay-Elite stand out. In a couple of minute, Sophia ran by way of its 5 cup sizes, strong-brew setting, iced-coffee choice, temperature management, and detachable drip tray. Subsequent, the AI host requested what prospects thought concerning the espresso maker.

Sophia famous the 30-second heat-up time and huge water reservoir however flagged a couple of sturdiness considerations within the evaluations. Lastly, the 2 mentioned who this machine is ideal for, and Sophia mentioned it is ultimate for anybody who loves selection, from robust morning espresso to iced afternoon drinks and sizzling tea in between. The AI host cornily concluded, “Even AI wants its morning espresso. Oh wait, we do not.”

After making an attempt Amazon’s newest AI characteristic, I am truthfully unsure how helpful it’s for most individuals. Your entire audio was two minutes lengthy, and I discovered myself considering I may in all probability skim the entire product itemizing lots sooner. Nonetheless, I suppose it has accessibility benefits. For many who wish to attempt it now, try my information under. In the event you do not see the button simply but, replace your Amazon app and preserve an eye fixed out.

And discover a product with the ‘Hear the highlights’ button

First, open the most recent model of the Amazon Buying app in your cellphone. Then seek for a product you wish to purchase. Amazon’s “Hear the highlights” button is barely out there on product itemizing pages for choose gadgets, just like the Ninja Blender, OSEA Undaria Algae Physique Oil, or Shokz OpenRun Professional headphones. In my case, I examined the characteristic on a Keurig coffee maker.

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Find Amazon’s AI button on a product

Search for ‘Hear the highlights’ underneath the product picture

Proper on the product itemizing web page, you need to see an oblong Hear the highlights button. It is positioned slightly below the picture or picture carousel, and onerous to overlook as soon as you understand it is there. This button may also show how lengthy the audio takes to listen to.

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Play the product’s audio abstract

Faucet the button and pay attention

When you see the “Hear the highlights” button, faucet it, and an embedded audio participant will slide up on the backside of your display screen. Immediately, you may hear the AI host and AI professional chatting concerning the product’s standout options and evaluations. It is framed as a pleasant back-and-forth. Their voices sound pure — although, truthful warning, they are often tacky.

Personally, I believe this AI characteristic may assist anybody who would not wish to learn by way of specs and dozens of evaluations. Listening to a abstract might be much more digestible for busy multitaskers. It additionally makes procuring extra accessible for visually impaired customers or those that study finest by listening. That mentioned, I do marvel if individuals will really use it and whether or not it really saves time.

This is not Amazon’s first AI-powered characteristic. It additionally affords Rufus, an AI procuring assistant that solutions your questions, as an illustration. There’s Review Highlights too, which makes use of AI to summarize widespread themes throughout evaluations, and even Buy for Me, a beta experiment that completes purchases from different websites when Amazon doesn’t promote the merchandise straight. As a lot as I really like and take a look at the most recent tech, I hardly use these instruments.

So, will I proceed to check “Hear the highlights” when procuring? In all probability not. I do not discover studying to be a drag and might do it fairly quick, so on this occasion, AI shouldn’t be really serving a helpful objective for me.

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Are you tired of AI?

With Google’s I/O and Microsoft’s Construct 2025 being almost solely targeted on AI, and Apple’s upcoming WWDC doubtless taking the identical route, it is clear AI is not going anyplace. Whether or not it is Gemini coming to Chrome, new AI Search options, or Microsoft’s give attention to AI brokers, a number of new AI options are on the horizon.

However you understand what? I am uninterested in all of it. I’ve but to discover a consumer-facing AI characteristic really really helpful, with Adobe’s AI spot removing and picture enlargement being the one two exceptions. I’ve little interest in AI writing emails for me or utilizing it to generate random pictures in apps like Picture Playground or Pixel Studio. Positive, an AI characteristic might click on with me in some unspecified time in the future, however up to now, that hasn’t been the case. It appears like tech giants are forcing these options on customers whether or not they need them or not.

With this in thoughts, how do you’re feeling concerning the rise of AI? Have you ever discovered AI helpful or are you uninterested in the options consistently being pushed on you.

FAQ

Q: Who can attempt Amazon’s ‘Hear the highlights’ button?

Proper now, it is in restricted testing for a subset of US prospects and seems solely on choose gadgets just like the Keurig Okay-Elite.

Q: Which merchandise have Amazon’s ‘Hear the highlights’ button?

Here is the place you possibly can take a look at Amazon’s Hear the highlights button: