Hard Fork AI Inside Pinterest Says There Is No Future For AI Shopping: What pinterest knows about shoppers that ai doesn’t
Aug 13, 2025
Pinterest challenges the future of AI in online shopping, asserting it won't shape retail as expected. They reveal fascinating insights into consumer behavior and market trends that influence their views. The conversation dives into the unique role of Pinterest as a visual discovery platform, emphasizing the need for technology that enhances product discovery. The debate on personalized AI-driven shopping experiences unfolds, raising questions about what shoppers truly need versus AI capabilities.
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Pinterest Sees Agentic Shopping As Distant
- Pinterest's CEO argues AI agents that buy for you are a long way off due to user readiness and journey constraints.
- He believes only simple, utilitarian purchase journeys might be appropriate for agentic buying today.
Pinterest's Discovery Engine Drives Purchases
- Jaeden describes Pinterest as a bookmarking-style site that drives large shopping traffic through discovery.
- He contrasts that discovery strength with the CEO's skepticism about agentic purchases.
Have Agents Ask Clarifying Questions
- Use follow-up questions so a shopping agent understands preferences before searching.
- Return a short curated set of options and let the user confirm before purchase to reduce risk.