Amazon is introducing a game-changing update to its shopping experience. The company has started testing “Buy for Me,” a new AI-powered shopping agent that lets users purchase products from third-party websites—without ever leaving the Amazon Shopping app.
When Amazon doesn’t have the item a user is looking for, the Amazon AI shopping agent searches other online stores, finds available options, and allows shoppers to make purchases directly within the app. This feature has the potential to expand Amazon’s e-commerce reach significantly.
How Amazon’s AI Shopping Agent Works
Unlike traditional search suggestions, this AI tool goes a step further. When a user selects a product from a third-party site, the agent completes the entire transaction on their behalf. It automatically fills in personal details like the name, shipping address, and payment information—streamlining the entire process without requiring users to switch apps.
Amazon says this technology is powered by its in-house Nova AI models along with Anthropic’s Claude. One model in particular, Nova Act, was recently introduced and is capable of autonomously browsing websites and performing complex actions online, making it a strong fit for this feature.
Security and Privacy at the Forefront
To address security concerns, Amazon notes that the shopping agent uses encryption to protect user data. Billing details are inserted securely, and Amazon emphasizes that it cannot see or store what users purchase from external sites. This privacy-first design sets it apart from other AI agents, such as those from Google or OpenAI, which still require users to manually input payment information.
Perplexity’s AI tool, by contrast, uses a prepaid debit card, offering a different approach but with more limitations in purchasing flexibility.
Will Users Trust an AI With Their Shopping?
While this seamless experience may sound appealing, handing over shopping duties to an AI agent comes with some hesitation. Automated systems can make errors—such as choosing the wrong size, color, or even quantity. And since the AI is completing the purchase outside Amazon’s platform, any returns or issues must be handled directly with the third-party seller.
This means shoppers are giving up a level of control they’re used to on Amazon. Instead of Amazon’s support team handling refunds or exchanges, users will be redirected to the original merchant’s website to manage those processes.
Still, for those who value convenience and speed, Amazon’s AI shopping agent offers a glimpse into the future of frictionless online shopping.
