Amazon has introduced Rufus, a modern shopping assistant based on artificial intelligence, which is currently available to a limited number of users.
- Amazon introduces Rufus, a shopping assistant based on artificial intelligence.
- Rufus is trained using Amazon’s product catalogue, community Q&A, user reviews and online data.
- Amazon CEO Rajiv Mehta admits that this is an early stage of generative artificial intelligence and asks users for input.
- Rufus offers product comparisons, contextualised advice and recommendations for product categories.
- The beta version is available to selected consumers following an update to the Amazon mobile app.
- In the coming weeks, the assistant will also gradually become available to US customers.
- Amazon plans to expand its user base as the technology develops.
- Amazon has also introduced artificial intelligence-based review summaries and encourages sellers to utilise these resources.
To provide a comprehensive service, Rufus will be trained using Amazon’s product catalogue, questions and answers from the community, user reviews and online data.
The CEO of Amazon, Rajiv Mehta, admits that: „Generative artificial intelligence is still in its infancy”,” and encourages users to get involved in improving the artificial intelligence models and Rufus.
Rufus offers product comparisons and contextualised recommendations based on specific activities or occasions. It can answer questions about product categories. Users can also ask for general advice or receive recommendations for gifts and Christmas shopping when buying headphones or other products. Product-specific enquiries, such as how to wash a jacket in the washing machine or whether a particular fitness game is suitable for beginners, can also be directed to an AI assistant.
In terms of availability, selected consumers can now access the beta version of Rufus following an update to Amazon’s mobile app. In the coming weeks, the assistant will gradually be made available to users in the USA. After signing up for the beta version, users will be able to ask questions by voice or type them into the search box to use Rufus, which will appear as a chat window at the bottom of the screen.
Amazon intends to expand the user base of its artificial intelligence-based shopping assistant as the technology evolves. Last year, all of Amazon’s departments were working on generative artificial intelligence. The company has since introduced artificial intelligence-based review summaries and is encouraging retailers to use its resources to create AI listings and background graphics for their products.
