Once a mere curiosity, shopping assistant chatbots have rapidly transformed into ubiquitous tools.
In the wake of enhanced AI-driven functionalities, both online retailers and technology firms have increasingly integrated artificial intelligence to streamline the online shopping experience.
The most recent array of AI-infused shopping applications and utilities has emerged just in time for the holiday shopping surge, commencing with Black Friday.
Below is an overview of both established and newly launched AI services tailored to assist in your quest for the ideal holiday gift:
Retail Chatbots
Amazon was a pioneer in this arena, introducing the Rufus chatbot in 2024. Subsequently, various ecommerce platforms have unveiled their proprietary AI assistants to enrich the digital shopping journey.
Walmart offers its Sparky chatbot, accessible via the retail giant’s app, adept at condensing reviews and providing product suggestions tailored to occasions, such as the festive season.
Target has recently introduced a gift-finder chatbot within its app, albeit limited to the holiday period. Ralph Lauren has collaborated with Microsoft to develop the “Ask Ralph” chatbot, delivering fashion guidance.
The primary objective of these chatbots is to facilitate easier product discovery. Instead of relying solely on search queries or keywords, users can engage in a conversational format via text or voice dictation.
However, the effectiveness of these bots remains variable.
In a recent attempt to use Rufus for locating a replacement stainless steel pot for my rice cooker and a protective trivet for my kitchen sink faucet, I found the results lacking.
They did not adequately reflect the vast array of available options, and, at times, yielded entirely inappropriate suggestions.
This led me to conduct a more exhaustive examination of product images and descriptions to identify suitable items. I suspect the subpar results were partly due to my search for generic items, as queries for specific brand-name products may yield superior outcomes.
AI-Powered Buying Counsel
In the event that you prefer not to confine your holiday shopping to the offerings of a single retailer, or if you are uncertain about where to procure the ultimate gift, tech platforms have unveiled robust AI shopping tools capable of scouring multiple websites.
Last week, OpenAI enhanced ChatGPT with a novel “shopping research” feature, designed to offer tailored buying advice for intricate products, particularly electronics or appliances. This feature activates upon inquiry or can be manually enabled within the chat window.
OpenAI asserts that it transcends rudimentary questions, delving into specifics like pricing and features that standard ChatGPT could readily address.
Google offers a comparable experience through its search engine in AI Mode, which recently received a significant update for shopping-based inquiries.
Users can articulate their desires as if conversing with a friend and receive an “intelligently organized response” from a database of 50 billion product listings, replete with images, prices, reviews, and inventory details.
Additionally, Google integrated similar shopping functionalities into its Gemini AI chatbot app for users within the United States last month.
Meanwhile, Perplexity unveiled its shopping assistant feature recently, tailoring recommendations based on past search behavior.
In a comparative test of all three platforms for locating a soft cotton flannel shirt, both ChatGPT and Perplexity sought specific requirements such as budget and essential attributes.
ChatGPT’s feedback was the most comprehensive, detailing options from six brands—including its top recommendation—with images, prices, and succinct summaries for each choice. The results were neatly compiled into a comparison table.
Conversely, Google’s response was more generalized, lacking follow-up inquiries after my initial request, while Perplexity’s results occupied a middle ground.
Virtual Try-Ons
Imagine you’ve identified a chic cardigan for your loved one, but uncertainty lingers regarding its silhouette or overall aesthetic.
Generative AI “try-on” solutions enable users to visualize how an article of clothing might appear on their own physique.
Historically, virtual fitting rooms have relied on elaborate 3D renderings, authentic photoshoots, and augmented reality, often requiring shoppers to select models that most closely align with their body types.
Google has now harnessed AI to allow consumers to virtually try on apparel and footwear through their own images, taken in straightforward poses. Exceptions include accessories like hats or jewelry, as well as swimwear and lingerie.
To utilize this feature—accessible via Google’s shopping platform both on desktop and mobile in Australia, Japan, Canada, and the U.S.—one simply taps the “Try it on” button on the product image, uploading a full-length photo.
Users can then save or share the image featuring themselves alongside the tested item, with the original photo preserved in their account for future reference.
If you’re procuring a gift, Google allows for the upload of a friend’s photo, albeit with their consent.
AI Agents for Purchases
Having pinpointed perfect gifts for your Christmas list, the next step is execution. Yet, if you’re inclined to delegate some of the legwork, “agentic AI” tools are available to assist.
Amazon shoppers can employ an “AI agent” to make acquisitions on their behalf should the price dip to an acceptable level. Concurrently, Google has introduced its “agentic checkout” feature, which automatically procures a sought-after product when its price drops, currently available in partnership with a limited array of retailers such as Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and several Shopify merchants.
Both Amazon and Google emphasize that users will receive confirmation prior to any purchases made by the AI agent.
Furthermore, Amazon is extending its capabilities by facilitating purchases of out-of-stock items from third-party websites.
When encountering a product on the Amazon Shopping app featuring a “Buy For Me” button, users can complete the purchase through the conventional Amazon checkout, while the AI agent proceeds to execute the transaction on the external site with encrypted payment details.
This feature, previously in testing, is gradually being made available to a wider audience.
AI Inquiries for Availability
If the preference leans towards brick-and-mortar shopping, it is prudent to ascertain the availability of desired products before venturing out. Google has introduced an AI service that inquires with local stores regarding inventory.
This functionality is currently limited to the U.S. and applicable for categories such as toys, electronics, and health and beauty products. By appending “near me” to a Google search, users can tap the “Let Google Call” option while browsing results.
After answering a few questions regarding the item of interest and preferred communication method for updates (email or text), Google will proceed to contact nearby retailers to verify stock.
Although the bot operates efficiently, the outcomes may be constrained. An Associated Press reporter in New Jersey requested that Google check for a specific Acer monitor and quickly received a response from a local computer repair shop that had refurbished monitors available. The inquiry seemingly overlooked larger electronics retailers in proximity.
According to Google’s update, while the local repair shop did not possess the monitor, it offered a similarly sized product at a reduced price, albeit lacking additional features.
Source link: Mankatofreepress.com.
