A significant legal battle is unfolding between Amazon and AI startup Perplexity, centered on the use of AI shopping agents. Amazon first sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity on March 1, 2024, and again on November 4, 2025, demanding that Perplexity stop its Comet browser's AI agents from making purchases on Amazon's platform. Amazon accuses Perplexity of computer fraud, claiming its AI tool covertly intrudes into its store, accesses customer accounts, and makes AI activity appear like human browsing, leading to a poor customer experience and security risks. Perplexity, in turn, calls Amazon's actions "bullying" and an attempt to stifle innovation and protect its ad-driven business model, arguing that agentic shopping is a natural evolution and users should control their digital lives. Perplexity's CEO, Srinivas, stated they would stand up for their users, especially after reactivating Comet in August 2025, reportedly bypassing Amazon's security, following an earlier request from Amazon in November 2024 to stop. On November 5, 2025, Amazon escalated the dispute by filing a lawsuit against Perplexity in San Francisco federal court. Beyond this dispute, the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly across various sectors. Google's AI Overviews, for instance, have led to a 17% increase in Google visits but a 10% drop in referral traffic for publishers, as noted in Activate CEO Michael J. Wolf's 2026 Technology and Media Outlook Report. This report also highlights a 1.5 times increase in monthly users for AI platforms between 2024 and 2025, reaching 128 million people using generative AI monthly. Meanwhile, Microsoft, in collaboration with IIT Delhi and Simplilearn, launched two new Professional Certificate Programs in AI and data analytics on November 4, 2025, aiming to address India's growing demand for AI talent, with some graduates potentially receiving funding up to $225,500. Apple, Meta, and Google are heavily investing in spatial computing, predicting a shift from smartphones to ubiquitous spatial devices. The fashion industry is embracing AI with new platforms like Alta, Daydream, Phia, OneOff, and DressX Agent, all launched in 2025, offering personalized styling, virtual try-ons, and conversational search, with DressX Agent aiming to reduce returns, which cost US retailers nearly $890 billion in 2024. AI is also reshaping affiliate marketing, with tools like Google's AI Overviews and ChatGPT's shopping feature influencing consumer decisions. However, not all AI integrations are met with enthusiasm; Coca-Cola faced criticism on November 3 for its AI-remade Christmas advertisement, which social media users called a "soulless cash-grabbing husk," despite the company's defense of it as a human-AI collaboration. Chief Information Officers are increasingly focused on securing AI at scale, as discussed in an October 22, 2025 webinar, recognizing that AI expands potential attack areas beyond data leaks. In other industrial applications, Compair introduced an AI solution for compressed air management that can reduce energy costs by 30%. Concerns about AI's impact on daily life persist among readers, citing job losses, ethical dilemmas like a chatbot encouraging suicide, and fears of cultural erosion. Despite some market jitters, with companies like Palantir and Oracle seeing stock drops, Saudi Arabia's Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser announced plans to make the kingdom a global AI leader, leveraging cheap natural gas and renewable energy to build AI infrastructure and acquire stakes in new AI companies. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently discussed leadership and innovation in San Francisco, even as a local group served him with a subpoena, highlighting the complex societal reception of AI.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon is suing AI startup Perplexity, filing a complaint on November 5, 2025, after sending cease-and-desist letters on March 1, 2024, and November 4, 2025, over Perplexity's Comet browser's AI shopping agents.
- Amazon accuses Perplexity of computer fraud, unauthorized purchases, data mining, and creating security risks, while Perplexity calls Amazon's actions "bullying" and an attempt to stifle innovation.
- Google's AI Overviews have increased Google visits by 17% but reduced publisher referral traffic by 10%.
- Microsoft, IIT Delhi, and Simplilearn launched two Professional Certificate Programs in AI and data analytics on November 4, 2025, with potential funding up to $225,500 for graduates.
- Apple, Meta, and Google are heavily investing in spatial computing, anticipating a shift from smartphones to ubiquitous spatial devices.
- AI-powered fashion platforms like DressX Agent, launched in 2025, aim to reduce returns, which cost US retailers nearly $890 billion in 2024.
- Coca-Cola faced criticism on November 3 for its AI-remade Christmas advertisement, labeled by social media users as a "soulless cash-grabbing husk."
- CIOs are focusing on securing AI at scale, recognizing expanded attack surfaces beyond data leaks, as discussed in an October 22, 2025 webinar.
- Saudi Arabia's Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser announced plans to make the kingdom a global AI leader by building AI infrastructure and acquiring stakes in new AI companies.
- Readers express concerns about AI's impact on job losses, ethical issues like chatbots encouraging suicide, and cultural erosion, even as some use AI for free therapy and companionship.
Amazon and Perplexity fight over AI shopping tools
Amazon and AI startup Perplexity are in a legal fight over third-party AI shopping agents. Amazon sent Perplexity a legal threat on November 4, 2025, demanding it stop users from using its Comet browser's AI assistants to shop on Amazon's platform. Amazon claims these agents cause a bad customer experience and pose security risks. Perplexity argues that agentic shopping is a natural evolution and users should control their digital lives. Amazon has its own AI tools like "Help Me Decide" and "Rufus" but wants to control how other AI agents interact with its site.
Amazon blocks Perplexity AI shopping agents
Amazon sent a cease-and-desist letter to AI startup Perplexity on November 4, 2025. Amazon wants Perplexity to stop its Comet browser's AI agents from buying items on Amazon's marketplace. Amazon says these agents make the customer experience worse and violate its rules against data mining. Perplexity called Amazon's actions "bullying" and believes easier shopping should lead to more sales. Amazon also has its own AI shopping assistant, "Help Me Decide," which still requires human interaction.
Amazon accuses Perplexity of AI shopping fraud
Amazon is accusing AI startup Perplexity of computer fraud. Amazon claims Perplexity's AI agent is shopping on its platform on a user's behalf without telling Amazon. This dispute over the AI tool making purchases was reported on November 4, 2025.
Amazon sends Perplexity cease and desist for AI shopping
Amazon sent a cease and desist letter to AI startup Perplexity on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Amazon demands that Perplexity stop its Comet web browser's AI agents from making purchases on the Amazon site. The e-commerce giant accuses Perplexity of using its AI tool without authorization.
Amazon sues Perplexity over AI automated shopping
Amazon has sued the AI startup Perplexity over its Comet browser's automated shopping feature. Amazon accuses Perplexity of secretly accessing customer accounts and making AI activity look like human browsing. Amazon claims this creates security risks and makes the shopping experience worse. Perplexity calls Amazon's actions "bullying" and an attempt to stop innovation and protect its ad-driven business model. Amazon is also developing its own AI shopping tools like "Buy For Me" and "Rufus."
Amazon threatens Perplexity over AI shopping agent
Amazon is threatening legal action against Perplexity AI over its Comet browser's AI shopping agent. Amazon sent a cease and desist letter on March 1, 2024, claiming Perplexity's AI is "covertly intruding" into its store. Amazon says this violates computer fraud laws and leads to a bad customer experience. Perplexity argues that Amazon wants to stop user rights to sell more ads and calls Amazon's actions "bullying." The outcome of this dispute could greatly affect how AI agents are used for online shopping.
Amazon sues Perplexity to stop AI shopping tool
Amazon is suing Perplexity AI to prevent its AI agent, Comet, from helping users shop. The e-commerce giant filed a complaint in San Francisco federal court on November 5, 2025. Amazon accuses Perplexity of computer fraud for not revealing when its tool shops on behalf of a real person. This action violates Amazon's terms of service.
Amazon targets Perplexity AI startup fires back
Amazon sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity AI on November 4, 2025, accusing it of using its Comet browser agent for unauthorized purchases. Perplexity responded publicly, calling Amazon's actions "bullying and intimidation." Amazon had previously asked Perplexity to stop in November 2024, but the startup reactivated Comet by August 2025, reportedly bypassing Amazon's security. Perplexity claims Amazon wants to remove user rights to sell more ads. Srinivas, Perplexity's CEO, stated they would stand up for their users.
Perplexity accuses Amazon of bullying
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, AI startup Perplexity accused Amazon of bullying. Amazon demanded that Perplexity stop allowing its users to send AI assistants to buy products on Amazon. Perplexity published a blog post titled "Bullying Is Not..." to express its strong disagreement with Amazon's demands.
AI transforms fashion shopping and styling
The fashion industry is seeing a boom in AI-powered styling and shopping platforms, aiming to offer more personalized experiences. New platforms like Alta, Daydream, Phia, OneOff, and DressX Agent launched in 2025. These tools help users with outfit planning, conversational search, price tracking, celebrity-inspired looks, and virtual try-ons. DressX Agent, for example, lets users create an AI twin to try on clothes virtually, helping reduce returns which cost US retailers nearly $890 billion in 2024. These innovations aim to solve various shopping challenges and personalize the fashion discovery process.
AI reshapes affiliate marketing and consumer influence
Artificial intelligence is changing how consumers find and buy products, deeply impacting affiliate marketing. AI tools like Google's AI Overviews and ChatGPT's shopping feature influence consumers before they even click on a link. This means publishers must create high-quality, expert-written content to be favored by AI models. Advertisers need to use multi-touch attribution to track influence across different platforms and stages of the customer journey. Strong collaboration between advertisers and publishers, sharing data and insights, is key to success in this evolving AI-driven landscape.
IIT Delhi Simplilearn Microsoft launch AI programs
IIT Delhi, Simplilearn, and Microsoft launched two new Professional Certificate Programs in AI and data analytics on November 4, 2025. These programs aim to meet India's growing demand for AI and data talent. One program focuses on Data Analytics, Generative AI, and Adaptive Systems, teaching skills like Excel, SQL, and Python. The second covers Generative AI, Machine Learning, and Intelligent Automation, with hands-on projects and industry tools. Graduates will receive certificates from IHFC and Microsoft, with some even getting funding opportunities up to $225,500. This initiative addresses the rapid growth of the global big data analytics market and India's generative AI market.
Coca-Cola faces anger over AI Christmas ad
Coca-Cola is facing strong criticism for the second year in a row over its AI-remade Christmas advertisement. The company released a new version of its classic 1995 "Holidays are coming" ad on November 3, which states "Created by Real Magic AI." Social media users called the ad a "soulless cash-grabbing husk" and "badly stitched together." Pratik Thakar, Coca-Cola's global VP of generative AI, defended the ad, saying it was a collaboration between humans and AI. The company maintains that last year's AI film was successful with customers.
Activate CEO shares AI search and spatial computing outlook
Activate CEO Michael J. Wolf presented his 2026 Technology and Media Outlook Report, discussing the future of AI search and spatial computing. AI platforms saw a 1.5 times increase in monthly users between 2024 and 2025, with 128 million people using generative AI monthly. Google's AI Overviews led to a 17% jump in Google visits but a 10% drop in referral traffic for publishers. Wolf also highlighted the rise of spatial computing, including smart glasses and AR/VR, with Apple, Meta, and Google investing heavily. He predicts a shift from smartphones to ubiquitous spatial devices that are see-through, ambient, and connected, impacting various industries like healthcare and defense.
CIOs learn to secure AI at scale
Modern Chief Information Officers (CIOs) need to understand and manage the security risks of AI. While AI brings business changes, it also expands potential attack areas across all operations. Risks go beyond data leaks and model errors, affecting infrastructure, applications, and user interactions. Ann Dunkin from the Georgia Institute of Technology discussed these evolving risks and ways to secure AI use and development. This information was part of the "The CIO's Guide to AI Security" webinar held on October 22, 2025.
New fluid technology products boost efficiency
Several new products for fluid technology have launched, including an AI solution for compressed air management. Compair's dynamic system can reduce energy costs by 30% by adjusting to air demand. SMC introduced the VPX400 series, a safety exhaust valve for rapid pneumatic emergency venting, meeting ISO 13849-1 standards. Danfoss Power Solutions released the Thorx CLM 5C radial piston motor, designed for road rollers, offering 92% efficiency and preventing leaks. Bosch Rexroth also updated its CytroPac 2X compact unit, adding flexibility with new filter, leakage oil, and valve modules.
Readers share concerns about AI impact
Readers shared their concerns about how artificial intelligence is affecting their daily lives. Many expressed worry about job losses and career changes, with software engineers, lawyers, and editors seeing significant disruption. Some readers use AI for free therapy, life advice, or companionship, with one even saying AI gave better advice than their doctor. However, there are also fears about AI's potential for harm, such as a chatbot encouraging suicide. Other concerns include AI's impact on classrooms and the risk of art plagiarism and cultural erosion.
Experts warn against AI stock tunnel vision
Experts are warning investors to be careful about focusing too much on AI stocks, as some cracks are appearing in the market. Despite AMD beating estimates, its stock slipped, and other AI-related companies like Palantir and Oracle also dropped. IBM plans layoffs, and Norway's $2 trillion fund opposed Elon Musk's pay package. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser announced plans to make the kingdom a global AI leader. Saudi Arabia will use its cheap natural gas and renewable energy to build AI infrastructure and acquire stakes in new AI companies.
Sam Altman and Steve Kerr discuss AI and leadership
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and basketball coach Steve Kerr held a public conversation in San Francisco on Monday night. They discussed leadership, innovation, and the city's future. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie also spoke, noting OpenAI had renewed its office deal in the city. During the event, a local group called Stop AI served Altman with a subpoena. Steve Kerr made an insightful point about how sports are changing as fast as technology, while Altman acknowledged that AI's impact might not be entirely positive.
Sources
- Amazon and Perplexity Clash Over Deployment of Third-Party AI Shopping Agents
- Amazon blocks Perplexity from sending its AI agents to purchase goods
- Amazon demands Perplexity stop AI tool from making purchases
- Amazon Sends Perplexity a Cease and Desist Over Its AI Agents Shopping for You
- Amazon sues AI startup over browser’s automated shopping and buying feature
- Amazon threatens legal action against Perplexity over claims of 'illegal conduct' and it's all because of an AI shopping agent
- Amazon Sues Perplexity to Stop Its AI Tool From Helping Shoppers
- Amazon Targets Perplexity’s AI Agent—Startup Fires Back, Says ‘Bullying Is Not Innovation’
- Perplexity Takes On Amazon
- Is fashion’s AI boom solving a real problem?
- 5 ways AI is changing where and how influence happens in affiliate marketing
- IIT Delhi, Simplilearn and Microsoft launch new AI and Data Analytics programs
- ‘Cash grab’: Fury after Coca-Cola repeats act
- Activate's CEO breaks down the state of AI search and spatial computing in his annual slide deck
- Securing AI at Scale
- New products for fluid technology
- 'We're not ready': We asked readers how AI was impacting their lives. This is what they told us
- CNBC Daily Open: Beware the tunnel vision on AI stocks
- An Evening With Sam Altman And Steve Kerr
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