Shopping and healthcare are getting an AI-powered upgrade. Yes, you read that right! Amazon is taking a big step toward that future by testing two new AI-powered tools: Interests AI, a shopping assistant, and Health AI, a chatbot designed to answer health-related questions.
These innovative features are currently in beta testing with a select group of users, hinting at a more intuitive, AI-driven Amazon experience on the horizon.
What is Interests AI?
Interests AI is designed to make shopping easier and more personalized. Instead of using Amazon’s traditional search bar, users can describe what they’re looking for in natural language. For example, you can type “latest pickleball accessories” or “brain teasers made of wood or metal,” and the AI will generate a curated selection of products that match your request.
The goal is to provide a more conversational and intuitive shopping experience. Amazon plans to roll out this feature to all U.S. users in the coming months.
Health AI: A Smarter Health Assistant
Alongside its shopping assistant, Amazon is also testing Health AI, a chatbot that helps users with health and wellness questions. Unlike Rufus, Amazon’s existing shopping chatbot, Health AI goes beyond product recommendations. It can offer guidance on common health concerns, such as cold and flu symptoms, and suggest possible care options.
While it doesn’t provide personalized medical advice, some responses come with a “clinically verified” badge, indicating licensed clinicians have reviewed them.
Health AI also connects users to Amazon’s online pharmacy and One Medical, a primary care service Amazon acquired for $3.9 billion in 2022.
How AI is Reshaping Amazon
AI is becoming a core focus for Amazon, with CEO Andy Jassy revealing that the company is developing around 1,000 generative AI applications.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers an AI-powered chatbot for businesses called Q, while its retail division continues to refine AI-driven shopping and search tools.
These new AI features are not just about convenience—they’re also part of Amazon’s broader strategy to compete with AI-powered platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
By integrating AI into shopping and healthcare, Amazon aims to keep customers engaged within its ecosystem while gathering valuable insights on how users interact with AI.
The Future of AI on Amazon
Amazon is also preparing to revamp Alexa with generative AI, introducing Alexa+, a more advanced version capable of handling complex tasks and taking actions for users automatically. AI models like Interests AI and Health AI could eventually power Alexa+, making it a smarter and more intuitive assistant.
As Amazon continues testing these new AI-driven tools, the company is collecting user feedback to improve their functionality. With AI shaping the future of e-commerce and digital assistance, Amazon is betting big on making its platform smarter, more interactive, and more helpful than ever before.
Final Thoughts
Amazon’s push into generative AI shows just how much the technology is set to redefine how we shop and manage our health. With AI assistants becoming more sophisticated, Amazon is clearly positioning itself as the go-to platform for personalized, AI-driven experiences.
However, the real test will be whether these tools truly enhance the user experience or simply add another layer of complexity. If done right, Amazon could set a new standard for AI-powered retail and health services.
