Amazon has officially launched Rufus, a new generative AI-powered conversational shopping assistant, in beta across Europe. Following its initial rollout in the UK last month, Rufus is now available to customers in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, with plans for further expansion in the coming weeks.
Key Takeaways
Launch Details: Rufus is now in beta in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, following its UK debut.
AI Capabilities: The assistant can answer shopping-related questions, provide product recommendations, and facilitate product discovery.
User Experience: Customers can interact with Rufus through the Amazon Shopping app, enhancing their shopping experience.
What Is Rufus?
Rufus is an AI-powered shopping assistant designed to enhance the online shopping experience by providing personalized assistance. Trained on Amazon’s extensive product catalog and information from various sources, Rufus can answer customer inquiries about products, make recommendations, and help users navigate their shopping journeys more effectively.
Features of Rufus
Rufus offers a range of features aimed at improving the shopping experience:
Product Research: Customers can ask general questions about product categories, such as "What to consider when buying running shoes?" and receive tailored guidance.
Occasion-Based Shopping: Users can discover products based on specific needs or events, like asking, "What do I need for an indoor garden?" Rufus will suggest relevant product categories and related questions.
Comparison Assistance: Customers can quickly compare products by asking questions like, "What’s the difference between lip gloss and lip oil?" to make informed decisions.
Personalized Recommendations: Rufus can generate tailored suggestions for specific queries, such as "Best gifts for the holidays?" or "Top games for a 5-year-old.
Product-Specific Queries: While viewing a product, customers can ask specific questions, such as, "Is this jacket machine washable?" to get instant answers based on product details and reviews.
How to Access Rufus
To start using Rufus, customers need to update their Amazon Shopping app. Once updated, they can access Rufus by clicking the icon in the bottom right corner of the app. A chat box will appear, allowing users to type or speak their questions. They can also explore suggested questions and provide feedback on the responses received.
The Future of Shopping with AI
Amazon has been leveraging AI for over 25 years to enhance customer experiences, from personalized recommendations to efficient fulfillment processes. With the introduction of Rufus, the company aims to further revolutionize how customers shop online. As generative AI technology continues to evolve, Amazon is committed to refining Rufus's capabilities based on user feedback and ongoing improvements.
In conclusion, Rufus represents a significant step forward in the integration of AI into the shopping experience, making it easier for customers to find and purchase products that meet their needs. As the beta rollout continues, Amazon looks forward to expanding Rufus's availability and enhancing its features to better serve its customers.
Sources
Amazon announces the launch of Rufus, a new generative AI-powered conversational shopping assistant, in beta across Europe, About Amazon Europe.
'Amazon Rufus' AI experience comes to the Amazon Shopping app, About Amazon.