Key facts
- AI agents like Instinct and Muse are being used by shoppers to automate purchases and find deals.
- One user reported an AI agent ordered 20 pounds of chicken wings when a smaller quantity was expected.
- Some users are hesitant to give AI agents direct access to their primary credit card information.
- Users may use AI agents for research and price comparison but prefer to make the final purchase themselves.
- AI agents can sometimes struggle with tasks like completing CAPTCHA puzzles required at checkout.
AI agents are emerging as personal shoppers, assisting consumers with tasks ranging from booking flights to ordering groceries. However, users are finding that these tools often require close supervision to avoid costly errors and security concerns.
Austin Welch, a finance worker in Houston, has utilized the AI agent Instinct to monitor flight prices and find referral codes for airline credit cards. He also finds it useful for ordering groceries, though the agent once mistakenly ordered 20 pounds of chicken wings when he had not specified a quantity, inferring a larger order based on past purchases.