Claude Can Now Shop for You
Claude’s New AI Feature AI models have come a long way since their early days, evolving from simple chatbots to sophisticated tools capable of performing complex tasks.
Anthropic’s Claude, a leading AI model, has introduced a new feature that allows it to act as a personal shopping assistant, capable of browsing the internet, comparing products, and making purchase recommendations.
This development, announced on August 8, 2025, positions Claude as a direct competitor to other AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and xAI’s Grok, but it also raises concerns about its impact on human jobs in the retail sector.
How Claude’s Shopping Feature Works
Real-Time Internet Browsing
Claude’s latest update, developed by Anthropic, enables the AI to access and browse the internet in real time, a significant advancement over its previous reliance on static data.
Using its “Claude 3.5 Sonnet” model, the AI can visit retail websites, analyze product listings, and compare prices, specifications, and customer reviews.
For example, when asked to find the best noise-canceling headphones under $300, Claude can search sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, then present a curated list of options with detailed pros and cons.
Personalized Recommendations
Unlike traditional search engines, Claude offers personalized recommendations tailored to user preferences. If a user specifies a need for lightweight headphones with long battery life, Claude filters results to prioritize those features, drawing on real-time data to ensure accuracy.
The AI can also factor in shipping times, discount codes, and user reviews to provide a comprehensive shopping guide, making it a powerful tool for consumers seeking efficiency and informed choices.
Impact on Retail Jobs
Automation of Shopping Tasks
Claude’s ability to handle shopping tasks end-to-end—from research to recommendations—threatens to disrupt entry-level retail jobs, particularly those involving customer service and product research.
Retail associates who assist customers in stores or online may find their roles diminished as consumers turn to AI for faster, more detailed advice.
A 2025 McKinsey report estimates that AI could automate up to 30% of retail jobs by 2030, with Claude’s new feature accelerating this trend.
Concerns from Industry Experts
Labor experts and retail workers have expressed alarm over the rapid adoption of AI in shopping. “AI tools like Claude are incredibly efficient, but they risk sidelining human workers who provide the personal touch that many customers still value,” said Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a labor economist at the University of Chicago.
She noted that while AI can streamline shopping, it may lack the empathy and nuanced understanding of human assistants, particularly for complex or emotional purchases like gifts.
Anthropic’s Response and Ethical Considerations
Commitment to Responsible AI
Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI researchers Dario Amodei, Daniela Amodei, and others, has positioned itself as a leader in ethical AI development.
The company emphasized that Claude’s shopping feature is designed to assist, not replace, human workers. “Our goal is to empower consumers with better tools while fostering responsible AI use,” said an Anthropic spokesperson.
The company is exploring partnerships with retailers to integrate Claude as a complementary tool, potentially aiding store associates rather than supplanting them.
Addressing Job Displacement
To mitigate job displacement concerns, Anthropic has pledged to support workforce retraining programs. The company is collaborating with educational institutions to offer training in AI-related fields, aiming to prepare retail workers for roles that complement AI technologies, such as AI system maintenance or customer experience management.
However, critics argue that these initiatives may not scale quickly enough to offset job losses in the short term.
The Broader AI Landscape
Competition with ChatGPT and Grok
Claude’s shopping feature intensifies competition in the AI chatbot market. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which also supports web browsing via its GPT-4o model, and xAI’s Grok, with its “DeepSearch” mode, are vying to dominate consumer applications like shopping.
Claude’s advantage lies in its user-friendly interface and focus on safety, avoiding the “hallucinations” (false responses) that sometimes plague competitors.
For instance, while Grok has been criticized for occasional inaccuracies, Claude’s responses are designed to be more conservative and fact-checked.
Consumer Adoption and Trust
Consumer adoption of AI shopping assistants is growing, with a 2025 Pew Research survey indicating that 45% of U.S. adults have used AI tools for shopping tasks, up from 30% in 2024.
However, trust remains a hurdle. High-profile incidents, like ChatGPT’s erroneous product recommendations, have made users wary. Anthropic’s emphasis on transparency—clearly labeling when Claude’s responses are based on real-time data—aims to build confidence.
Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with some users praising Claude’s accuracy and others expressing concern about over-reliance on AI for shopping decisions.
What’s Next for Claude
Expanding Capabilities
Anthropic plans to further enhance Claude’s shopping feature by integrating it with e-commerce platforms and loyalty programs, potentially allowing direct purchases through voice or text commands.
Future updates may also include visual search capabilities, where users can upload images of products to find matches online.
These advancements aim to make Claude a one-stop shopping solution, further blurring the line between human and AI-driven retail experiences.
Balancing Innovation and Ethics
As Claude’s capabilities grow, Anthropic faces the challenge of balancing innovation with ethical considerations.
The company has committed to regular audits of Claude’s performance to ensure it does not perpetuate biases in product recommendations, such as favoring certain brands due to advertising partnerships. Additionally, Anthropic is engaging with policymakers to shape regulations, like the EU’s AI Act, to ensure AI shopping tools prioritize consumer protection and fair labor practices.
Claude’s new shopping feature marks a significant step in AI’s evolution, offering consumers unprecedented convenience while raising critical questions about the future of retail work.
As Anthropic navigates this delicate balance, the success of Claude could redefine how we shop—and who, or what, helps us do it.
This article is based on a report by Matt Kamen, published by TIME on August 8, 2025. Read the original at TIME. Additional context was drawn from posts on X discussing Claude’s new feature and its implications for retail.
