GoKawiil
Tech News
TheRealReal, a secondhand luxury goods marketplace, is reported to have joined a growing list of online retailers restricting access for third-party AI shopping agents. These agents act on behalf of consumers to browse and purchase goods automatically across websites.
Patagonia has changed its online store so that new and secondhand items appear together in the same shopping experience, rather than in separate resale and retail sections. The update went live as of today, according to the report.
A hands-on test of Meta's Muse, a personal AI assistant, shows it can research products and complete purchases on a user's behalf. In doing so, it bypasses the review websites and retailers whose content and listings informed its recommendations, meaning those sites receive no traffic or referral credit from the sale.
Meta launched an AI shopping agent called Muse designed to handle tasks like online purchases. When users tried to have Muse buy items on Amazon, they received an error message stating that access by an unauthorized AI agent violates Amazon's Conditions of Use.
A banking industry group representing major U.S. banks released a report expressing concern about agentic commerce, where AI agents make purchases on behalf of consumers. The report warns that this emerging shopping method could lead to increased scams, fraud, and payment disputes.
A new report finds that the growing volume of AI-generated content online is eroding consumer trust, weakening the influence that social media personalities have historically had over purchasing decisions. Shoppers who once relied on influencer recommendations for items like clothing and home appliances are said to be growing more skeptical of what they see online.
Amazon has cut off access for Meta's newly launched Muse AI shopping agent, showing users a pop-up citing violations of its Conditions of Use. Muse, introduced on Sept. 8, was designed to handle tasks like online purchases, but Amazon says unauthorized third-party agents must operate transparently and respect merchants' choice to participate.
Amazon has cut off access to Meta's newly launched Muse AI agent, which can autonomously shop, fill forms, and make purchases using virtual Stripe cards. Users attempting to shop on Amazon via Muse now see a message saying unauthorized AI agents violate the retailer's Conditions of Use. Amazon says it first asked Meta to voluntarily keep Muse off its platform before implementing the block.
Leaders from a major automaker and a large home-goods retailer discussed how they are deploying artificial intelligence to enhance customer interactions rather than replace human judgment. Both executives emphasized designing AI tools that support employees and shoppers, building on the industry's evolution from physical stores to online shopping to more advanced digital experiences.