{
  "id": 295198,
  "title": "I let ChatGPT, Gemini, and Alexa shop my kids' back-to-school supplies — only one got it right",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/i-let-chatgpt-gemini-and-alexa-shop-my-kids-back-to-school-supplies",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-08T05:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/i-let-chatgpt-gemini-and-alexa-shop-my-kids-back-to-school-supplies-only-one-got-it-right"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When a mother with three children and distinct school supply lists sought assistance from AI, she employed ChatGPT, Gemini, and Alexa+ to shop for her kids. Though the task was straightforward—follow the teacher's list, stick to required quantities, choose reasonably priced products, and avoid optional items—each AI assistant produced vastly different results.\n\nChatGPT emerged as the most accurate, diligently following the list with no deviations. It selected neutral colors, adhered to brand preferences, and ensured reasonable pricing, resulting in a total of $92.55 for kindergarten, fourth, and sixth grade supplies. However, this accuracy came at the cost of speed, as ChatGPT took the longest to complete the task by thoroughly verifying each item.\n\nGemini proved to be careful but also more thoughtful, taking a slightly different approach. After generating the cart through Instacart, it paused to ask for approval on certain colors, unlike ChatGPT. This additional step added to the overall time needed but appealed to those who prefer more control over their shopping experience. The end result was an approximate total of $60-$90 for supplies, which was $105 more if she had included an optional water bottle. Gemini also managed to secure better deals than Walmart, showcasing its ability to scan the internet for the best prices.\n\nOn the other hand, Alexa+ demonstrated lightning-fast performance but came with a significantly higher price tag, nearly three times more than ChatGPT and Gemini combined. The assistant added optional items like headphones and a computer mouse without hesitation, asking for color approval for numerous products. While this resulted in a cart totaling $251.48, it would have been even more expensive if Alexa+ hadn't been stopped from purchasing these extra items. This experience highlighted the importance of closely reviewing the order before finalizing it.",
  "summary": "I asked ChatGPT, Gemini and Alexa to shop my kids' school supply lists. One AI found the best deals, while another nearly tripled my total.",
  "key_points": [
    "ChatGPT accurately followed back-to-school list, totaling $92.55",
    "Gemini took longer but found better deals, $60-$90 total",
    "Alexa+ was fastest but most expensive at $251.48 with extras"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The varying performances of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Alexa+ highlight the trade-offs between accuracy, speed, and cost, with each AI assistant catering to different priorities and shopping styles.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "I asked Gemini and ChatGPT to build OpenAI's mythical AI hardware — the results are shockingly good but still don't make me want this $300-plus device",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/i-asked-gemini-and-chatgpt-to-build-openais-mythical-ai-hardware-the",
        "published": "2026-08-07T17:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "OpenAI’s new device will be hockey puck-sized and cost over $300",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/openais-new-device-will-be-hockey-puck-sized-and-cost-over-300",
        "published": "2026-08-07T18:40:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}