AI shopping assistants gain popularity but require close oversight

AI shopping assistants like Instinct and Muse are gaining traction as personal shoppers, but users remain cautious about delegating too much control. Shoppers report these tools can save time and find better deals, yet they often impose limits to prevent errors or unauthorized purchases. Austin Welch, a finance professional in Houston, uses Instinct to monitor flight prices and order groceries, though he recently received 20 pounds of chicken wings instead of the small pack he requested. Loni Stark, Adobe’s vice president of strategy and product, created her own AI agent, Molty, to research products but hasn’t linked it to payment. She also used a custom Muse agent to buy ballet shoes and seek rewards points, though the latter attempt failed. Amando Komoda, a Minneapolis-based meat supplier, relies on Inst, but only after verifying purchases with a single-use credit card. Vipin Porwal, founder of Smarty, predicts AI will assist in gift shopping, but consumers will still handle the final purchase. Stark adds that shopping remains a form of entertainment, with AI helping alleviate price anxiety. Shoppers like Welch and Komoda emphasize the need for oversight, citing issues like incorrect orders and CAPTCHA challenges. Despite these concerns, AI agents are becoming more integrated into daily shopping routines, offering convenience while users maintain control over sensitive tasks. The holiday season is expected to see increased use of AI for gift research, though final purchases will likely remain in human hands. Stark notes that while AI can handle research and price comparisons, the emotional and experiential aspects of shopping still appeal to consumers, making AI a helpful but not complete replacement.