Perplexity is the latest company to announce an AI assistant that can shop for you.


PayPal integration lets you buy products instantly through the AI assistant.
The assistant presents options as organized product cards, summarizing the pros, cons, review details, and helpful guides.
[Video credit – PayPal]
The "Instant Buy" option lets users purchase directly through the assistant using PayPal at any store accepting PayPal. Michelle Gill, General Manager at PayPal, stated in November 2025 that their Perplexity collaboration is the start of PayPal's AI-driven commerce innovation, connecting payments and buyer protection to AI shopping across all platforms.
Retailers still manage customer relationships, returns, loyalty programs, and post-purchase interactions.
Perplexity and PayPal offer 50% back (up to $50) for first-time PayPal purchases via Perplexity between November 25 and December 1, 2025.
AI shopping is gaining traction, with OpenAI adding a "shopping research" feature to ChatGPT and Google enhancing AI product suggestions in its Search AI Mode.
These tools personalize shopping, and the AI companies may earn referral fees on purchases made through their suggestions.
Perplexity’s AI shopping is also available in its Comet browser, launched on Android this month, as companies integrate AI into online activities.
AI shopping assistants could benefit those who dislike online browsing or lack time. However, some remain cautious about AI making purchases, especially for expensive items, and prefer to verify recommendations.
Real-world performance of these shopping assistants remains to be seen.
Michelle Gill, General Manager at PayPal, stated in November 2025 that their Perplexity collaboration is the start of PayPal's AI-driven commerce innovation, connecting payments and buyer protection to AI shopping across all platforms.
Retailers still manage customer relationships, returns, loyalty programs, and post-purchase interactions.
Perplexity and PayPal offer 50% back (up to $50) for first-time PayPal purchases via Perplexity between November 25 and December 1, 2025.
AI shopping is gaining traction, with OpenAI adding a "shopping research" feature to ChatGPT and Google enhancing AI product suggestions in its Search AI Mode.
These tools personalize shopping, and the AI companies may earn referral fees on purchases made through their suggestions.
Perplexity’s AI shopping is also available in its Comet browser, launched on Android this month, as companies integrate AI into online activities.
AI shopping assistants could benefit those who dislike online browsing or lack time. However, some remain cautious about AI making purchases, especially for expensive items, and prefer to verify recommendations.
Real-world performance of these shopping assistants remains to be seen.