After blocking Muse, Amazon now lets users text Alexa to help them shop

Amazon is embracing the latest trend in AI interaction by introducing a feature that allows users to communicate with its Alexa AI agent via text messages. This new capability enables customers to shop on Amazon much like they can with other AI agents such as Muse or Instinct. The company announced the launch of this feature on Friday, just ahead of the holiday shopping season.

After previously blocking Meta's Muse from accessing its site in September, Amazon is now rolling out this service to select U.S. customers. Those invited will receive a text message prompting them to enable the shopping feature. Once activated, users can interact with Alexa using natural language queries to perform various shopping tasks, such as searching for items, adding them to their cart, and completing purchases.

Beyond standard shopping functions, the text agent can also help users manage wish lists, track prices, search for items across the web, compare products, check order statuses, and even search for similar listings based on pictures of items or outfits.

Amazon has stated that over time, Alexa will learn users' preferences and provide more personalized recommendations. While current users may not have immediate access to the feature, those interested can sign up for a waitlist. The company plans to expand the rollout to a broader audience in the coming weeks as the market for consumer-focused AI agents continues to grow.

Competitors like DoorDash have also recognized the potential of this new avenue of user interaction and are developing their own text-based agents to meet this demand.