Amazon Introduces AI-Powered Product Summaries
Amazon is testing a new feature that uses AI-generated hosts to provide audio summaries of product features. This innovation aims to help customers by compiling research and highlighting key product information from various sources, including product pages and customer reviews.
The AI-generated audio summaries are designed to be helpful, particularly for visually impaired customers or those multitasking while shopping. Each summary begins with a disclosure that it was generated by AI, followed by a discussion between virtual hosts about the product’s features and benefits.
Concerns About Fake Reviews
The introduction of this feature raises questions about the potential inclusion of fake reviews in the AI-generated summaries. Amazon has a history of hosting fake reviews, with some studies suggesting that they account for over 40% of all reviews on the platform. In response to these concerns, Amazon stated that it has ‘zero tolerance’ for fake reviews and that more than 99% of products viewed in its store contain only authentic reviews.
Availability and Potential Impact
The feature is currently available to some US customers on the Amazon mobile app for select products. Users can access these summaries by tapping the ‘Hear the highlights’ button on product pages. While the usefulness of this feature for the general population is debatable, it could be particularly beneficial for visually impaired users.
As Amazon rolls out this feature to more customers and products, its impact on the shopping experience remains to be seen. While some may find it convenient, others might view it as another unnecessary AI feature. The effectiveness of Amazon’s measures to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the information presented in these summaries will be crucial to their success.
