Amazon is launching a new feature, using artificial intelligence (AI), to provide concise summaries of user reviews on its site. This AI-driven addition is meant to give customers a snapshot of the general sentiment and frequently mentioned product features in reviews, saving them the time of scrolling through multiple comments.
The feature will present a brief paragraph on the product’s page, summarizing the main talking points from customer feedback. Beyond just summarizing, it will also provide category links, allowing shoppers to filter and read reviews based on specific aspects such as performance or features related to streaming. The type of categories will vary depending on the product.
Interestingly, Amazon used an “LG 3D smart TV” as an example, which raised eyebrows since LG no longer sells such TVs. As of now, this AI review summary feature is on the horizon for mobile shoppers in the US, with potential expansion into other regions unless unforeseen challenges arise during its trial phase.
The introduction of this AI tool does bring up concerns. One of the pressing questions is the authenticity of reviews that the AI might be summarizing. Could the AI be summarizing reviews that were written by AI chatbots to begin with? Amazon assures that they are investing heavily in preventing fake reviews, employing machine-learning models that scrutinize thousands of data points to identify potential risks. Additionally, you can also read about- How to Use AI in Daily Life to Save Time and Money
However, Amazon’s battle against fake reviews remains ongoing. Reports have emerged this year about AI-generated user reviews that managed to bypass Amazon’s detection system. Furthermore, there are claims about Amazon bloggers receiving products in exchange for reviews. While these aren’t fake, the incentives – like free products or Amazon gift cards – could potentially bias the reviewer’s perspective. Amazon’s guidelines strictly state that reviewers shouldn’t receive any compensation, be it cash, discounts, or gift cards.
Amazon does, however, have the Vine program, where select users can get free products in return for their reviews. Manufacturers pay to be a part of this initiative.
With the new AI-powered summaries, Amazon aims to enhance the authenticity and transparency of its review process. The technology behind it is designed to work with a limited and specific set of data, reducing the chances of it fabricating information. It’s seen as the next step in Amazon’s review system, which already includes attribute-specific filtering.
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