Amazon Expands AI Retail Strategy With New Shopping Platform

Introducing A Tailored AI Shopping Platform

Amazon introduced a new initiative allowing retailers to license the company’s artificial intelligence shopping technology to build customized AI-powered retail assistants. The service is based on technology developed for Alexa for Shopping. It includes infrastructure, starter code and implementation tools designed to help retailers launch branded AI shopping experiences within approximately 60 days.

Expanding The Amazon Ecosystem

The initiative reflects Amazon’s broader strategy of commercializing technologies initially developed for internal operations. Previous examples have included the expansion of Amazon Web Services, cashierless retail systems and logistics technologies into external commercial products and services. Kate Spade, part of Tapestry, is among the first companies using the platform to develop a customized AI gifting assistant.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Industry Implications And Competitive Landscape

Technology companies and retailers are increasingly investing in AI-powered shopping tools as competition intensifies across digital commerce. Companies including OpenAI, Google and Perplexity are also expanding AI commerce capabilities. Retailers such as Walmart, Target, Etsy, Gap and eBay have similarly introduced or tested AI-driven retail features and partnerships.

Empowering Retailers Through Proprietary Knowledge

Amazon said the platform is designed to allow retailers to maintain control over customer interactions, product information and brand-specific shopping experiences. According to the company, retailer-owned AI systems can utilize more detailed catalog and consumer data than broader general-purpose AI tools operating across multiple platforms. Brands using the system can also retain direct control over customer engagement rather than relying on external intermediaries.

Looking Ahead

Amazon’s expansion into AI retail infrastructure reflects a broader shift among technology companies toward licensing internally developed AI systems to external businesses. The company’s latest initiative positions AI-powered shopping assistants as a growing part of the future retail ecosystem as brands continue searching for new ways to personalize digital commerce experiences.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

Breaking news