They are now everywhere, and online retailers and tech companies in the US are adding more artificial intelligence (AI) features to make online shopping easier and more convenient. TASR informs about it based on the AP report.
- Online retailers and tech firms are deploying AI features to improve shopping.
- AI enables visualization of clothing and accessories using augmented reality.
The latest generation of AI shopping services and tools debuted in the previous weeksjust in time for the start of the US holiday shopping season. Amazon was the leader until recently. Rufus launched his chatbot back in 2024. However, other online retailers quickly followed suit.
Walmart’s Sparky chatbot can synthesize reviews or offer product recommendations based on occasions like Christmas. The Target chain recently introduced a gift search chatbot on its app, but it’s only available during the holidays. Ralph Lauren has teamed up with Microsoft and the result is an Ask Ralph chatbot that helps you find the right style.
The goal of deploying chatbots is to make it easier for people to find what they’re looking for, without having to limit themselves to a single vendor’s website. Especially if they don’t know exactly where to look for the perfect gift. Technology platforms have introduced shopping tools with artificial intelligence to help them with this.
Last week, OpenAI added a new “shopping survey” to ChatGPT that can provide personalized shopping advice for products with detailed specifications, such as electronics or appliances. The feature is activated if you ask ChatGPT a purchase-related question or manually turn it on in the chat window. OpenAI claims it can go beyond simple questions like checking price or features.
Similarly, Google users also have a search engine in AI mode. The company says users can describe what they’re looking for as if they were talking to a friend and get an “intelligently organized response” based on 50 billion product listings with images, prices, reviews and stock information.
Generative AI tools also allow users to see how a particular type of clothing might look on them. They use real photos and augmented reality. These tools allow shoppers to virtually try on clothes and shoes using photos of themselves in simple poses. Exceptions include accessories such as hats or jewelry, swimwear, and underwear. This feature is already in Australia, Japan, Canada and the US, just tap the “try it” button on the product photo and then add a full-length photo of yourself.
Once you’ve found the perfect gift, it’s time to shop. Artificial intelligence tools can already help with this too. Amazon users have an “artificial intelligence agent” available to purchase a product on their behalf. Google has launched its own “agent-assisted payments” feature. Both companies say they always verify a purchase with a customer before an AI agent makes it.
Do you prefer to shop in person? Before you head to the store, it’s a good idea to make sure they have the product you want. Google has launched an artificial intelligence service that will call local stores and ask for availability. However, it is only available in the US for toys, electronics, and health and beauty products.
