Sources say Amazon is developing an AI chat robot, which will be integrated into the search bar in January next year.
Beijing, Oct. 3 (Xinhua)-- Amazon is reportedly developing an AI-driven chat robot that will allow users to use the robot to search its e-commerce site. The chat robot is currently undergoing internal testing and could be launched as soon as January next year.
The project, internally codenamed "Project Nile", hopes to add a layer of artificial intelligence to Amazon's existing search bar to enable instant product comparisons, allow users to ask more specific questions, and make more accurate recommendations based on search context and personal shopping data.
The chat robot will be integrated into the search bar on Amazon.com, according to a person familiar with the matter at Tuyuan Pixabay. According to the original plan, the chat robot was supposed to be launched last month, but it has been delayed until around January next year to be the first to launch in the US market.
Interactive search supported by artificial intelligence can improve Amazon's shopping experience. In addition, Amazon hopes these changes will increase sales, especially on mobile devices. The project is a top priority within Amazon and is supported by senior leaders including CEO Andy Jassy and retail head Doug Herrington, according to people familiar with the matter.
The project has broad implications because Amazon is the default portal for many online shoppers. More than 60 per cent of US consumers search for products on Amazon, according to Jungle Scout, an e-commerce software developer.
The chat robot is also the latest example of Amazon integrating generative artificial intelligence into its e-commerce site. Last month it was reported that Amazon had launched an artificial intelligence tool for sellers to help them generate copywriting for product pages.
The tool prompts sellers to enter several keywords or sentences to describe their products, and then generates a series of items that sellers can use to build their lists, such as product titles, key points, and descriptions.
