I shopped at Amazon's cutting-edge convenience store of the future, and now I'm convinced it's the future of retail - for better or for worse

Matt Weinberger/Business Insider

When I was in Seattle earlier this week, I knew I had to swing by its newest can't-miss shopping destination: Amazon Go, the online retailer's vision for the convenience store of the future.

Amazon Go, which opened to the public in January, comes with the bold promise of no lines, no cash registers, and no checking out. You just grab what you want, and you ... go. Oh, I get the name now.

I put Amazon Go through its paces, and found that the technology - which relies on cameras and other sensors to track your every move - works extremely well. On two visits, I couldn't manage to fool the system, and I indeed walked right out with my purchases.

It's probably the future of retail. It's also a somewhat worrisome reminder of how artificial intelligence is going to wreak havoc on traditional ideas of employment.

Here's what it's like to shop at Amazon Go, the convenience store of the future:

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