Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming an integral part of our daily lives, and shopping is no exception. From personalized product recommendations to virtual try-ons, AI is revolutionizing the way we discover, compare and purchase products both online and in-store.
As a consumer, understanding how AI is being used in retail can help you make more informed shopping decisions and take advantage of the benefits it offers. Here are five things you need to know about the rise of AI in everyday shopping:
- Personalized recommendations: Online retailers like Amazon and Netflix have long used AI to recommend products based on your browsing and purchase history. Now, this technology is becoming more sophisticated and widespread. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data, including your demographics, social media activity and even your emotions, to predict what products you’re most likely to buy. While this can lead to more relevant suggestions, be aware that these recommendations may not always align with your true needs or preferences.
- Dynamic pricing: Many retailers use AI to continuously adjust prices based on factors like supply and demand, competitor pricing and even the weather. This means the price of a product can change from one minute to the next. To get the best deals, consider using price tracking tools that alert you when the price of an item you’re interested in drops.
- Virtual try-ons and product visualization: AI-powered augmented reality (AR) is making it possible to virtually try on clothes, makeup and even see how furniture would look in your home before making a purchase. This technology can save you time and reduce the hassle of returns. But keep in mind that virtual try-ons may not always accurately represent how a product will look or fit in real life
- Voice assistants and chatbots: AI-powered voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, as well as chatbots on retail websites, are making it easier to search for products, ask questions, and even place orders using natural language. While these tools can be convenient, remember that they may not always understand the nuances of your requests or provide the most accurate information.
- Fraud detection and prevention: AI is also being used to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions, which helps protect both retailers and consumers. Unfortunately, this can also mean that legitimate purchases may sometimes be flagged as suspicious, leading to delays or declined transactions. To minimize this risk, make sure your contact and payment information is up to date and be prepared to verify your identity if asked.
As AI continues to shape our retail experience, it’s important to stay informed about how it's being used and what effects it may have. By understanding the benefits and limitations of AI in shopping, you can make more empowered decisions and enjoy a more convenient and personalized shopping experience.
What are your thoughts on the rise of AI in retail? Have you had any experiences you’ve loved or hated with AI-powered shopping tools? Share your thoughts with the Shop Talk community — we’d love to hear from you!
Did you know? Voice shopping is on the rise
More and more owners of smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home use them for shopping-related activities, like comparing prices, and making purchases. As AI-powered voice assistants become more sophisticated, voice shopping is expected to grow increasingly popular, offering you a hands-free, conversational way to shop from the comfort of your home.
Honestly, I’m getting annoyed with AI. I use Chat GPT sometimes for travel itineraries, but it seems like AI is everywhere…Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook. It’s honestly not that great at what it’s supposed to do.
AI is certainly going to be part of our life in many areas. We will not be able to avoid it entering into our daily activities. In many cases, people are actually employing AI and have learned about it being beneficial in some respects and being worrisome in particular areas. We will all need to learn a safe and manageable manner to use AI in order to accept and understand the powerful attributes of AI.
I agree AI will be part of our lives, but don’t feel that will be a good thing. We’ve already seen the misinformation altered reality in the form of video/voice. It will be up to people to fact check everything & I don’t think it will happen