Amazon is testing AI-generated hosts that talk customers through product features
Amazon is testing a new feature that involves AI-generated hosts talking through product summaries. It looks fairly similar to Google's audio overviews , which also include AI-generated hosts that seem plucked from a middling podcast.
Amazon says that these "AI shopping experts help save time by compiling research and providing product highlights for customers from product pages, reviews and insights." This leads me to an obvious question. Amazon is notorious for hosting fake reviews . Some studies suggest that fake reviews account for more than 40 percent of the sum total. Do these AI hosts pull from those reviews? We've reached out to Amazon and will update this post if we hear back.
Each audio summary will remind you that it was generated by AI, just before an introduction from the "expert" hosts. Amazon says these hosts are "like having helpful friends discuss potential purchases to make your shopping easier."
You might be able to try this out right now. It's currently available to some US customers on the mobile app for certain products, like this Ninja Blender , OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil , SHOKZ OpenRun Pro headphones and a couple of other items. Just tap the "Hear the highlights" button under the product. Amazon has stated it'll be rolling this out to more customers and more products in the near future.
I can see this being a boon for those with visual impairment issues, but I listened to a couple of summaries and they certainly don't save any time. I could peruse reviews, look at product information and even conduct a web search of my own in a fraction of the time it took the friendly experts to complete their spiel.
The company says this feature is useful when "multitasking or on the go" but I don't tend to mindlessly spend money in that way. Do you? This seems like another AI thingamabob that nobody really asked for, but maybe it'll find a niche somewhere. Again, this could be seriously useful for the visually impaired, but that's not how Amazon is pitching it. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gizmodo
23 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
Amazon Restocks Anker 100W USB-C Fast Charger with 3 Ports, Now Available at Nearly 40% Off
Anker is our favorite name when it comes to charging for years, and they have built their reputation on making powerful chargers that allow your devices to keep going with ease. The Anker Nano 100W USB-C charger is proof of their craft and it is capable of charging anything from smartphones to laptops with such simplicity. Unlike cheaper chargers that often limit their power output to phones only, this model offers a full 100W of power which makes it ideal for demanding devices like MacBooks and other Windows laptops. Currently, this charger is available on Amazon for just $35, down from its list price of $54 which is a 35% discount. This is an all-time lowest price which you will not find even on the largest sales events like Prime Day or Black Friday. See at Amazon 100W Supercharger The greatest benefit of the Anker Nano 100W charger is that it is capable of charging with ultra-fast speed through its two USB-C ports and a more traditional USB-A port. You can charge your laptop or tablet into either of the ports and receive the full 100W output to charge your devices quickly with no worries. The package includes a 5-foot USB-C to USB-C cable with a lifespan of over 5,000 bends and with an integrated E-Marker chip for safe and optimal charging. What makes this charger even more valuable is that it is very small: It is 34% smaller than the standard 96W MacBook power adapter, and it is very portable and easy to carry around. Though small, it charges three devices simultaneously — let's say a MacBook, an iPhone, and a pair of AirPods — without compromising on speed or efficiency. This Anker charger derives its power from GaN II technology which is an enormous improvement over traditional chargers. Gallium Nitride (GaN) allows for greater efficiency and faster charging speeds while keeping the charger small and heat emission at a minimum. The GaN II model used here doubles the operation frequency and boasts a new stacked design and upgraded circuit board structure. This combination forms a charger that is cooler, more compact, and more efficient than most standard ones, with an optimal charging experience without hassle or bloat. When you purchase this charger, you also have serenity with Anker's 18-month warranty and speedy customer service. The package includes the charger, a 5-foot USB-C to USB-C cable, and a quick-start guide to get you started in a hurry. Whether you are charging an expensive laptop, a phone, or multiple devices at once, this charger offers a mix of power, portability, and dependability hard to come by, at this cost. For work or everyday use, this charger is a very smart investment. See at Amazon
Gizmodo
an hour ago
- Gizmodo
Anker Crushes the Competition, Its 1800W Portable Power Station Is 50% Off with Zero Profit Margin Left
Portable power stations have surged in popularity in the recent past and they have become essentials for campers and households. Anker, EcoFlow, and Jackery are the best-selling brands with millions of devices rolling off their shelves. They are compact and user-friendly, which makes electricity supply a convenient option wherever you are. Among them, the Anker SOLIX C1000 model stands out and it is now available on Amazon at an unprecedented discount: Originally priced at $1,068, it is currently offered at $549—a remarkable 49% saving, which makes an all-time low price that makes this high-performance device more accessible than ever. On top of that, Amazon gives you a free water resistant bag to protect your power station. See at Amazon Outdoor Usage and Household Power Outages With Anker's SurgePad technology, this power station offers an output surge of 1800W and can be used to power 99% of household appliances and outdoor equipment. It comes with 11 universal ports, four AC outlets, USB ports, and DC outputs, which makes it compatible with most devices from kitchen appliances to camping gear. Its flexibility also makes it ideal for RV travel, camping, and emergency preparedness so that you have the confidence that you can power your essential electronics wherever you are. The UltraFast recharging technology allows the battery to achieve an 80% charge in mere 43 minutes and a complete charge within an hour when used with an AC input. Such quick recharging functionality makes the power station adhere to your fast pace of life whether at home or on an outdoor adventure. Its 1056Wh LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery provides massive energy storage capacity as well as unmatched longevity of up to 3,000 charge cycles over ten years. This Anker model can also be charger with solar energy which makes it quite unique on the market (it offers up to 600W fast solar recharging, fully powering the device in just 1.8 hours). Solar panels are sold separately. The included free water-resistant carry bag is made of IP54-rated material and featuring a protective zipper and guards against rain and moisture damaging the power station. Rubber feet lift the unit to prevent contact with wet surfaces which is great in tough environments. The bag also features a velcro flap that allows you to charge and recharge the power station without removing it from the cover, offering that added convenience and protection. With this 49% discount, now is the time to invest in a portable power station. See offer
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Broadcom's AI Bonanza Has Limits
Broadcom is making a lot of money by helping tech companies manufacture custom chips that speed up artificial-intelligence computations. Broadcom's stock is the fifth-best-performing in the S&P 500 over the past two months, rising more than 70% over the period—a stunning rise given the company's already large size. Years ago, Broadcom began helping Google make AI chips, an interesting but not wildly profitable side hustle at the time.
