Amazon’s new AI podcast feature shilling products draws ridicule for hyping diaper rash cream and fake dog poop

Amazon launched an AI-generated mini-podcast feature that creates conversational audio segments promoting products on its shopping platform, with two AI hosts named “Emma” and a co-host discussing items and answering shopper questions in real time. Business Insider's Katie Notopoulos tested the feature on Welmedix Rapid Relief Diaper Rash Cream and another user found it would generate enthusiastic commentary on a fake dog poop item, with the AI saying “at four inches long, it's sized perfectly for believability.” An Amazon spokesperson told Business Insider that the feature is “powered by several AI technologies working together, including Amazon Bedrock,” and pulls information from product listings and other online sources.