Artificial intelligence could completely change online shopping. In the future, we may not need to search on Google and scroll through many blue links. Instead, AI agents could offer a more personalised shopping experience. These agents can recommend products, compare prices and even allow customers to buy directly on the same page.
In the future, people might give the AI a task and a budget, and the AI will do the shopping for them. However, there are concerns. AI shopping agents can create problems related to data security, algorithmic bias and possible fraud. Shoppers must decide how much personal information they are ready to share.
Retailers also have questions. If customers buy directly through AI search, will they still visit brand websites? Google has presented a new AI system that helps brands appear in recommendations. Its AI can even use information from emails and photos to make better suggestions, if users allow it.
Some people may enjoy discovering clothes and products themselves, while others may prefer quick and easy purchases, like buying printer ink. The challenge for technology companies is to find the right balance between helpful and intrusive AI.
Vocabulary:
• hyper-personalised (adj): extremely adapted to one person’s needs
• AI agent (noun): an artificial intelligence system that acts for a user
• retail (noun): the business of selling products to customers
• data security (noun): protection of personal digital information
• algorithmic bias (noun): unfair results created by computer systems
• fraud (noun): illegal activity to cheat people
• revamp (verb): to improve or change something
• bespoke (adj): specially made for one person
• opt in (phrasal verb): to agree to participate
• discovery (noun): the act of exploring and finding new things
• promo (noun): short for promotion; special offer or discount