Amazon launches an AI shopping assistant: Rufus helps users make shopping decisions
After months of testing, Amazon today launched its generative AI shopping assistant, Rufus, to all U.S. customers. The conversational shopping assistant is designed to help customers save time and make smarter purchasing decisions. Rufus is now available in the Amazon Shopping app, just in time for Prime Day (July 16–17).
Rufus can answer specific questions about a product, such as whether it’s easy to maintain and what it’s made of. It can also provide product recommendations and comparisons, as well as product updates. Customers can also use Rufus to track packages and view past orders. Rufus can even help customers with non-shopping related questions, such as what they need to make a soufflé or host a summer party.
The main function
1. Understand the product details
Rufus can answer user questions about specific products, providing detailed product information, customer reviews, and community Q&A. For example:
- “Is this coffee machine easy to clean and maintain?”
- “Is this mascara a clean beauty product?”
Users can also click on relevant questions that appear in the Rufus chat window to learn more about the product, such as “What is the material of this backpack?” In addition, users can click “What customers are saying?” to quickly get an overview of customer reviews.
2. Get product recommendations
Rufus can recommend products based on the user’s needs. For example, if a user asks about pool umbrellas suitable for Florida, Rufus will provide relevant information about Florida’s weather and humidity and recommend suitable umbrella features. Other examples of questions include:
- “What are the best wireless outdoor speakers?”
- “What are the best lawn games for kids’ birthday parties?”
3. Compare options
Rufus helps users quickly compare the features of different products. Users can ask questions such as “What is the difference between gas and wood-fired pizza ovens?” Other examples of questions include:
- “Should I buy trail shoes or running shoes?”
- “Comparing OLED and QLED TVs.”
For example, one user used Rufus to help them compare options and ultimately find a comfortable baseball glove for their 9-year-old beginner son.
4. Get the latest product updates
Rufus helps users learn about the latest products and trends. For example:
- “What’s the most advanced Fire tablet for kids?”
- “What are the latest trends in women’s jeans?”
5. Access current and past orders
Rufus offers fast package tracking, and users can ask questions like, “Where is my order?” or more specifically, “When will my dog food arrive?” Additionally, users can quickly access past orders, such as, “When was the last time I ordered sunscreen?”
6. Answer non-shopping related questions
Rufus can also answer a variety of questions to help users at any stage of their shopping journey. For example, a user looking to buy kitchenware might start by asking, “What do I need to make a souffle?” A user planning a special occasion might ask, “What do I need for a summer party?”
Instructions
Rufus is now available to all US users. Just make sure the Amazon Shopping app is up to date and tap the Rufus icon (with a glowing chat bubble) in the bottom navigation bar. The Rufus chat window will appear and users can ask questions directly or tap on suggested questions to start a conversation.
Detailed introduction: https://www.amazon.com/Rufus/b?node=121214013011
