TikTok launches an AI shopping assistant and one-click checkout

In short: TikTok is rolling out a chat-style AI shopping helper and a one-click checkout option so people can buy from brands without leaving the app.

What happened

TikTok announced that it is launching a new feature called Shopping Assistant. TikTok says it is a conversational AI agent, which means you can chat with it like you would message a store worker (think of it as a helpful salesperson in a text box).

According to the company, the assistant can answer questions while you shop, including product details, shipping information, sizing, and whether an item is available. TikTok also says the assistant can remember your preferences during the conversation, so you do not have to repeat yourself.

TikTok is also adding a new in-app checkout option. The company says people will be able to buy directly from a brand from their For You feed, TikTok’s main page of recommended videos, with one click.

TikTok says it is building these tools with partners that already help businesses sell and take payments, including Salesforce, Shopify, Shoplazza, and Stripe. The company also positioned the shopping assistant as a way to keep users on TikTok, rather than going to outside tools like ChatGPT when they have questions.

Why it matters

For everyday users, this could make impulse shopping faster, because the video, the questions, and the payment can all happen in one place. For brands, it could mean more sales start and finish inside TikTok, instead of sending shoppers to another website.

Source: TechCrunch AI