Key Points
- OpenAI and Perplexity launch AI shopping assistants embedded in their chatbots.
- OpenAI’s tool can handle detailed queries like a gaming laptop under $1000 with a screen over 15 inches.
- Perplexity emphasizes personalized recommendations based on user memory.
- Startups argue that curated, domain‑specific data gives them an advantage over general models.
- Major retailers are partnering with the big platforms for integrated checkout experiences.
- The long‑term profitability of AI shopping assistants remains uncertain.
New AI Shopping Features
OpenAI and Perplexity announced AI shopping capabilities that sit inside their chat interfaces. OpenAI’s tool lets users request product recommendations with detailed criteria, such as a “new laptop suitable for gaming under $1000 with a screen that’s over 15 inches,” or upload photos of high‑end garments to find similar items at lower price points. Perplexity highlights its chatbot’s memory, promising recommendations that factor in what the system already knows about a user’s location, occupation, and past interactions.
Industry Reactions
Analysts predict a surge in AI‑assisted online shopping, citing forecasts of rapid growth during the holiday season. Executives from AI‑focused startups argue that specialized data pipelines and vertical expertise provide a richer shopping experience than the broad, search‑index‑based approach used by OpenAI and Perplexity, which rely on existing search engines like Bing or Google for initial results.
Challenges for Startups
Startup leaders such as Zach Hudson, CEO of Onton, and Julie Bornstein, CEO of Daydream, contend that general‑purpose large language models struggle to match the nuance required for fashion, furniture, or other niche categories. They point out that successful AI shopping tools need curated product datasets, detailed merchandising logic, and an understanding of fabrics, silhouettes, and consumer preferences. Without these, they fear startups will be eclipsed by the larger platforms that already have extensive user bases and partnerships with retailers like Shopify and PayPal.
Future Outlook
Both OpenAI and Perplexity are leveraging their existing user relationships to secure early deals with major retailers, offering integrated checkout experiences directly within the chat. While this could accelerate adoption, the sustainability of the model remains uncertain, as the companies balance high compute costs with the need for profitable revenue streams. Observers suggest that vertical‑focused AI shopping solutions may continue to thrive by delivering deeper, domain‑specific insights that generic assistants cannot replicate.
Source: techcrunch.com