By Gregory Zuckerman
Publication Date: 2025-11-25 21:04:00
Two of the most popular AI chatbots are coming to the checkout line. OpenAI and Perplexity released shopping-oriented AI features that promise to make it easier to discover a product, compare prices, and buy in chat — all as demand for gifts (and impulse purchases) ramps up ahead of the holidays. Early-stage competitors are undaunted, saying vertical depth and proprietary data will keep them competitive as the giants expand their horizons.
What the New Assistants Really Do for Shoppers
OpenAI’s successor to ChatGPT centers on guided product research. Users can describe constraints — a gaming laptop for under $1,000 with a 15-inch-plus screen, say — or upload an image of an outfit and ask for a similar look at a lower price. The aim is to combine browsing and shortlisting into one conversational flow.
Perplexity is drafting persistent memory to fine-tune recommendations. Its assistant can remember past preferences and context, like climate or commute habits or job needs, to whittle the options without asking again. Both companies are also combining discovery with transactions: OpenAI is integrating commerce partners including Shopify for native checkout, while Perplexity is plugging into payment rails like PayPal to close purchases inside the chat.
The timing is deliberate. According to Adobe’s holiday forecast, AI-fueled shopping chats will grow by 520% — a sign that shoppers are becoming more comfortable asking bots what to buy. With distribution and…
