Amazon is navigating a strategic test over agent-driven commerce as it invests in delivery, artificial intelligence and its workforce. ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood agreed with analyst Nick Grous that Amazon’s decision to block Meta’s Muse agent could test customer loyalty and the company’s control of its retail relationship. Grous said autonomous software that browses and transacts for shoppers could weaken Amazon’s advertising economics, a business he valued at $70 billion; Amazon’s advertising revenue reached $19.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 26% year over year. Amazon cited permission and customer-credential concerns in blocking Muse, while later opening its seller platform to Anthropic’s Claude after investing $13 billion in Anthropic, with as much as $20 billion more tied to milestones. Separately, Amazon is considering Project Mercury, which would expand its Sub Same-Day network from 85 facilities to more than 1,000 by 2031, and raised minimum starting pay for full-time U.S. operations employees to $20 an hour. Amazon shares were down 1.17% at $246.75 on Monday at publication, after closing Friday at $249.67.