Amazon tests genAI-powered audio product summaries

Amazon said it is testing a new generative AI (genAI) short-form audio feature that synthetises product summaries and reviews.

The feature uses large language models (LLMs) to generate scripts, drawing from Amazon’s product catalogue, customer reviews and information from around the web, and then translating content into short audio clips.

Customers can listen to the short-form audio summaries on product detail pages by tapping the “Hear the highlights” button in the Amazon Shopping app.

Amazon said the initial trial focuses on products that typically require thought before purchase, aiming to provide useful insights through detailed summaries to help customers save time while shopping.

The short audio insights are currently available on selected products for a subset of US customers, with Amazon planning to expand the feature to other product detail pages and more customers in the country over the coming months.

To use the new feature, customers can open the Amazon shopping app and click on a product detail page to find a button under the product marketplace image if an audio summary is available for the product.

By clicking on it, they can then listen to a short audio conversation about some of the product’s main features.

Some of the products already have this functionality include Ninja Blender and Shokz OpenRun Bluetooth bone-conduction sports headphones.

The move comes after Amazon already launched audio content across its platform through Rufus, a genAI-powered shopping assistant that can answer questions about a variety of shopping and product needs.

Amazon recently expanded its AI skills training programme to the UK.

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance aims to provide 100,000 people with AI skills by 2030.

The programme aims to address a growing need for AI skills and tech job readiness across the UK, which Amazon said combines a mix of industry-validated content, hands-on experience, and direct connections to employers, to give learners technical skills and practical exposure to the industry.