What: Amazon’s new AI feature delivers audio summaries that distil customer reviews and product information, aiming to simplify and personalise the online shopping experience.

Why it is important: This development sets a new benchmark for accessibility and efficiency in retail, addressing information overload while expanding inclusive shopping experiences.

Amazon’s introduction of AI-generated audio summaries for product reviews represents a significant evolution in the online shopping experience. By leveraging large language models, the platform now synthesises vast amounts of customer feedback and product data into concise, easily digestible audio clips accessible via its mobile app. This innovation is particularly valuable for visually impaired shoppers and those overwhelmed by the sheer volume of user-generated content, offering a streamlined alternative to traditional review browsing. While the technology promises to make shopping more efficient and accessible, it also raises questions about the potential loss of nuance and authenticity that comes from human reviews. As Amazon continues to expand these features, the challenge will be to maintain the trust and depth of insight that customers value, even as automation becomes more central to the retail journey.

IADS Notes: Amazon’s rollout of AI-generated audio summaries in July and September 2025 marks a pivotal shift in retail, targeting information overload and accessibility. These tools exemplify the move toward agentic commerce, where AI agents mediate the shopping journey, but also highlight the ongoing need to balance efficiency with authenticity and trust in customer engagement.

Can an Amazon AI voice guide you better than customer product reviews? We may soon find out