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Amazon Unveils Agentic AI Assistant to Streamline Seller Operations and Advertising

Revolutionizing Seller Operations

Amazon has taken a significant leap forward in e-commerce technology by introducing an always-on AI agent designed to empower sellers on its platform. The revamped Seller Assistant now handles critical tasks on behalf of third-party sellers, ensuring a seamless transition from manual oversight to intelligent assistance. This proactive technology enables sellers to maintain control while delegating routine operations and complex strategic decisions alike.

Enhanced Operational Management

The upgraded Seller Assistant not only monitors account health and inventory but also offers strategic insights. For instance, it will detect slow-moving inventory and provide actionable recommendations—whether to adjust pricing, reposition products, or remove them to avoid long-term storage fees. The AI can also analyze demand trends and suggest optimal shipment strategies, allowing sellers to stay ahead in a dynamic market environment.

Ensuring Compliance and Safety

Beyond inventory management, Seller Assistant continuously scans seller accounts for potential compliance issues. It flags items that may violate emerging regulatory standards and automates the verification process across different international markets, ensuring every product meets the necessary safety and compliance requirements.

The Broader Implications of Agent-Driven Commerce

Agent-driven commerce represents a transformative shift in how business operations are managed. Tech giants are exploring autonomous agents capable of not only initiating transactions but also executing deals on behalf of their clients. Amazon’s latest deployment follows industry leaders such as Google, which recently unveiled a payments protocol for agentic transactions, signalling a broader move toward integrating advanced AI systems into everyday business functions.

Expanding Beyond Operations

In addition to enhancing seller operations, Amazon is incorporating agentic AI into its advertising ecosystem. Sellers are now able to generate ads through conversational prompts, further simplifying the process of market engagement and client acquisition. This move is part of a broader initiative to offer a suite of AI tools designed to boost innovation and strategic growth among third-party sellers.

Cyprus Banks Urged To Focus On Long-Term Resilience As Profits Remain Strong

The Cypriot banking sector remains in a strong position, supported by solid capital buffers and overall financial stability, according to speakers at the annual general meeting of the Association of Cyprus Banks. At the same time, government officials and regulators stressed that maintaining this position will require continued discipline and long-term planning.

A Strong Sector, But Not A Complacent One

Finance Minister Makis Keravnos used the meeting to highlight concerns over draft laws recently passed by parliament, which, according to the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and the Legal Service, may contain constitutional, legal and institutional issues. Those concerns, he noted, led to presidential referrals and remittals to the Supreme Court.

Keravnos also said the European Central Bank had been consulted on proposed measures concerning the suspension of foreclosures and the restructuring of loans and guarantees, adding that the ECB had expressed its own concerns.

Profitability Should Reflect Real Economy Lending

While acknowledging that the banking sector remains highly profitable, Keravnos said earnings are expected to reach around €1 billion in 2025, lower than in 2024 as interest-rate conditions gradually normalize.

He said he would prefer bank profitability to rely more on lending to businesses operating in productive sectors and less on the widening of European Central Bank interest-rate spreads.

According to the minister, Cyprus’ return to investment-grade status after 11 years has strengthened the country’s appeal to foreign investors, technology companies and startups. He said this should encourage banks to offer financing that better supports businesses while improving the diversification of their loan portfolios.

The Central Bank’s Warning: Strength Today Is Not A Guarantee Tomorrow

Central Bank Governor Christodoulos Patsalides also warned against complacency, saying the sector’s current strength should not be taken for granted.

“The Cypriot banking sector is strong today. But strength that truly matters is not exhausted by a capital ratio, a profit line or a favorable cycle,” he said.

Patsalides added that lasting resilience depends on institutions remaining strong as conditions change, risks become more complex, and competition evolves. In his view, that requires sufficient capital buffers, adaptable infrastructure and management teams prepared for changing market conditions.

Long-Term Resilience Over Short-Term Gains

Patsalides also stressed that banks should focus on long-term resilience rather than short-term performance. Decisions on dividend policy, capital allocation and the use of resources, he said, should take into account continued investment in technology, operational resilience, human capital and long-term adaptability.

He added that banks able to remain competitive over time will be those that invest early in strengthening their capacity to adapt and respond to future challenges.

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