ChatGPT's New Shopping Assistant Learns Your Preferences
ChatGPT Gets Smarter at Shopping
OpenAI just gave ChatGPT a shopping upgrade that might change how we browse online. The new "Shopping Research" feature turns the AI into something closer to a personal shopper than a search engine.
Your Digital Shopping Companion
Unlike typing queries into Google, this tool acts more like a helpful friend who knows your tastes. It asks follow-up questions (“What’s your budget?” or “Do you prefer sleek or colorful designs?”), scours the web for options, then presents them with clear pros and cons. Need the quietest vacuum for your apartment? Or help comparing bike models? ChatGPT now handles these complex requests smoothly.
The interface includes handy buttons like "Not Interested" or "Show Similar" letting you refine results instantly. Currently free for most users during holiday season testing.
The Memory Factor
Here’s where it gets interesting – and slightly controversial. The AI remembers your past chats to personalize recommendations. Mention gaming once? It’ll prioritize gaming laptops later. This powerful memory feature aligns with reports that OpenAI may be exploring targeted advertising.
CEO Sam Altman has previously expressed discomfort with ad-based models, stating: "I know I'm not the product—I'm the paying user." Yet as investors eye returns on OpenAI’s $90 billion valuation, pressure mounts to monetize user data.
How Accurate Is It?
The shopping-specific AI model scored 64% accuracy in tests – significantly better than standard versions:
| Model | Accuracy |
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Pro users get proactive suggestions through "Pulse" – like reminders about bike accessories after discussing cycling. For now, purchases still happen on retailer sites, with OpenAI claiming chat history stays private.
The convenience comes with questions: How much should an AI remember? And who benefits from those memories? As chatbots evolve from tools to assistants, these lines keep blurring.
Key Points:
- New ChatGPT feature acts as personalized shopping assistant
- Remembers user preferences from past conversations
- Achieves 64% recommendation accuracy in tests
- Raises privacy concerns amid potential ad targeting
- Currently free during holiday rollout
