Decoder with Nilay Patel The DoorDash Problem: How AI browsers are a huge threat to Amazon
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Nov 20, 2025 Dive into the intriguing "DoorDash problem," where AI agents are set to redefine online commerce. This discussion highlights how these agents could disrupt traditional business models by intercepting services and altering customer interactions. Explore the battle between Amazon and Perplexity's Comet browser, along with varying reactions from tech CEOs. Unpack the potential economic consequences for companies like Amazon and understand why they feel threatened. This is a fascinating glimpse into the future of shopping and AI's role in it!
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The DoorDash Problem Defined
- The DoorDash problem is what happens when AI agents sit between services and customers, removing apps' ability to monetize interaction.
- This could turn platforms like DoorDash into commoditized databases competing on price alone.
Agents Assume Existing Services
- Agentic AI assumes existing service databases and fulfillment networks will persist while agents automate ordering.
- If users stop opening apps and send agents instead, those businesses lose monetizable customer interactions.
Perplexity's Comet Versus Amazon
- Perplexity built Comet, a Chromium-based browser that embeds an AI agent and a shopping feature targeting Amazon.
- Amazon says that Perplexity ignored requests to disable shopping and masked agents as human users, prompting a lawsuit.