Amazon's CEO says few people use AI shopping bots because they are no better than visiting a store's site. Amazon has also blocked Meta's new assistant, Muse.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy says AI shopping assistants are not a threat to Amazon right now. After the company reported record financial results, he told analysts that barely any customers use them. His reason: the experience is "still not great, nor more convenient than coming to a retailer directly."
A shopping agent is an AI tool that browses stores and buys things for you. The idea is that you ask for what you want and the bot does the legwork. Jassy's point is that, for now, doing it yourself on a store's own site is just as easy or easier.
He also shared Alexa numbers. More than 400 million customers have used Alexa for shopping in the last year, and "customer interactions" grew 570% year over year. US customers who use Alexa spent 50% more per order than those who do not.
His comments follow Amazon's decision in September 2026 to block Meta's new AI assistant, Muse, from its online store. Amazon said allowing it would violate the conditions of use its customers have agreed to.
Muse launched in September 2026 and has been popular. Mark Zuckerberg recently claimed more than 10 million people in the US and Canada have set it up, and that it became the top free app on the Apple App Store, ahead of ChatGPT. Meta has signed up retailers including Walmart, Best Buy and Shopify. Amazon has not joined them.
The article notes that Amazon depends largely on people visiting its website, where they see ads and suggested products. Those bring in its biggest returns. A bot that shops for you could skip all of that.
If you try an AI shopping assistant, expect it to work with some stores and not others. Amazon is currently off the list for Muse. Check what data the assistant collects, and think about which of your apps and accounts you let it reach.
It is not clear whether Amazon will ever let outside assistants in. It is also not confirmed that Alexa shopping will expand, though the article suggests the spending numbers may point that way.
AI shopping bots work on some stores and not others, so check what data an assistant collects before you let it into your apps.
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