Top 5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming eCommerce
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are no longer just confined to scientific research and studies. They are currently revolutionising our daily lives and making them simpler than ever after crossing the academic divide. In the last few years, many technological advancements have come about due to the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Nearly all industries have been affected, and eCommerce is no longer an exception. Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the eCommerce industry, from personalised product suggestions to chatbots that act like real people.
There are many advantages that AI and machine language may bring to eCommerce. Artificial intelligence is being adopted in eCommerce at a phenomenal rate as well. 80 per cent of retail employees anticipate that their employer will use artificial intelligence by 2027, according to a report. According to the same study, artificial intelligence has been used by 51% of eCommerce companies to improve customer service, marketing, and sales.
Advantages of Artificial Intelligence
1. Reduction in Human Error
The ability of artificial intelligence to drastically minimise errors and improve accuracy and precision is one of its main benefits. Every decision made by AI is based on data already obtained and a certain set of algorithms. When properly coded, these errors can be eliminated entirely.
2. Zero Risks
Another significant benefit of AI is that it allows people to avoid many dangers by delegating certain tasks to AI robots. Machines with metal bodies are resistant by nature and can survive hostile environments, making them ideal for defusing bombs, travelling to space, and exploring the deepest reaches of oceans. Additionally, they can deliver accurate work with more responsibility and durability.
3. 24×7 Availability
Numerous studies have shown that people only work productively for three to four hours each day on average. People also require breaks and vacation time to balance their personal and professional lives. However, AI can operate continuously without rest. They can multitask with accuracy and think far more quickly than humans can. With the aid of AI algorithms, they can even do complex repetitive tasks without difficulty.
4. Digital Assistance
Nowadays, almost all large companies connect with their clients via digital assistants, thereby reducing the demand for human personnel. You can ask a chatbot exactly what you need by chatting with them. These days, some chatbots have advanced to the point where it is impossible to distinguish whether you are conversing with a human or a chatbot.
5. New Inventions
AI has aided in developing innovative inventions in practically every field to address challenging issues. Using cutting-edge AI-based technology, a recent invention has assisted doctors in predicting the early stages of breast cancer in women.
6. Unbiased Decisions
Whether we like it or not, emotions are what steer human beings. AI, on the other hand, is emotionless and approaches problems in a very practical and logical way. Artificial intelligence has the enormous benefit of impartiality, allowing for more precise decision-making.
Artificial Intelligence And Extended Reality In eCommerce
eCommerce enables business owners to manage their online storefronts in a 24/7 virtual environment. It’s a world that anyone anywhere can access at any time. Technological advancements, machine learning, and artificial intelligence have emerged into a new realm of realities.
Through the lens of technology, we can now see beyond what is actually real. The results of the technological development that today powers the virtual world are augmented reality and virtual reality. AR, VR, mixed reality, and other immersive experiences are all included under the broad category of extended reality (XR). eCommerce suffered greatly from the inability to touch or use the product in person, but XR is already bridging that gap with more immersive experiences.
Virtual reality can make virtual objects appear real and give customers a more immersive, gratifying, and interesting product experience. The user can interact in a virtual world created by augmented reality, on the other hand, giving them a more immersive and natural purchasing experience.
Customers may be able to make more informed selections about what to buy with the aid of such an immersive product experience. Google found that 66% of respondents prefer using augmented reality to assist them when buying online. When Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality are merged, their power is multiplied. It may offer customers a more engaging and tailored buying experience that increases user engagement and conversion rates. These technologies, nevertheless, are still in the development stage and have not yet been fully integrated into the eCommerce industry.
Amazon and Walmart, two heavyweights in e-commerce, have already begun applying AI and XR to enhance the user experience.
Top Ways AI Is Transforming The eCommerce Landscape
The eCommerce landscape is undergoing a significant change due to artificial intelligence. Some projected outcomes of using AI in eCommerce are the metaverse, virtual shopping hubs, and AI-assisted shopping. The benefits of artificial intelligence for eCommerce organisations today include increased customer engagement, greater conversion rates, and immersive product experiences, to mention a few. The following is a detailed discussion of some of the ways artificial intelligence is helping eCommerce businesses:
1. The Rise Of Voice Search
With the help of assistants like Siri and Google, life has gotten simpler. Through artificial intelligence and machine learning, they have advanced sufficiently to understand and recognise human speech. The internet has long used voice recognition to take advantage of artificial intelligence. Google’s voice search has transformed how consumers conduct online searches. Simply tell your Google assistant, “Hey Google, remind me about the meeting today at 4 pm,” and the reminder will be established. Without artificial intelligence and machine learning, this would not be conceivable.
Google claims that voice search currently makes up 20% of all searches. Over time, artificial intelligence has also enhanced robots’ capacity to recognise voice usage. Artificial intelligence has made significant advancements in speech analysis and contextual reasoning, which have helped us achieve more precise voice recognition. Additionally, the use of voice search on online purchasing platforms has increased thanks to artificial intelligence. How people look for things has completely changed as a result. It has decreased the friction associated with online buying by enabling customers to chat, browse, and buy. The advantages of AI-assisted voice searches for eCommerce include the following:
- Time-efficient: From the perspective of the customer, voice searches save time. They cut down on the time and effort needed to key in and search for the product.
- Reduced chances of errors: Voice search has a major impact on lowering the likelihood of typing errors. It is intelligent enough to know just what the buyer wants.
- Improved customer experience: Voice searches offer a quick and simple way to search for products, which can enhance the consumer experience.
2. Intelligent Chatbots
One of the most crucial aspects of any eCommerce business is the ease of the consumer, which can affect the brand’s reputation and customer retention. The days of manual customer service are long gone, and intelligent chatbots are driven by AI that can help customers with purchases and troubleshoot common issues. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are used to train computer programmes called chatbots to communicate with and help clients. Chatbots in eCommerce can aid companies in enhancing customer assistance and engagement while offering quick fixes to frequent customer issues.
Leading eCommerce companies employ chatbots to assist customers with various tasks, including product discovery and general problem-solving. Modern chatbots can also identify user acrimony and dissatisfaction and can elevate such users for access to help from human supervisors. The advantages of AI-chatbots for eCommerce include the following:
- 24/7 support: Because time constraints like human support do not constrain them, chatbots may offer consumers unbroken service.
- Improves customer support efficiency: Chatbots can address common issues immediately and lessen the amount of human labour needed to respond to such inquiries.
- Cost-effective: Chatbots can assist more clients simultaneously and cut down on the amount of staff needed to escalate these inquiries. When compared to human support, it is economical and effective.
3. Personalised Shopping Recommendations
Artificial intelligence is slowly bridging the gaps left by the shift from offline to online retail. Personalisation is one such omission. Customers receive a custom shopping experience from retailers when they purchase in person. Currently, artificial intelligence is working hard to offer clients a customised buying experience through personalised shopping. Optimised conversions and sales in eCommerce depend on personalisation.
Customers can have a more individualised shopping experience by using artificial intelligence to examine their purchasing habits and other data. For instance, if you manage a Magento 2 store, you may use the size chart to assist consumers in selecting the best fit and lower the likelihood of order returns.
Based on previous buying habits and product lifecycle, artificial intelligence can offer products for a consumer who frequently purchases a product from an online store at the most advantageous times. This can increase the likelihood of conversions dramatically and increase client loyalty to the online store. The advantages of AI-generated product recommendations for eCommerce include the following:
- Improves User Experience: When a customer receives a recommendation for a product, they could find it fascinating. The User Experience might be enhanced by this.
- Boosts conversions: Providing a personalised customer experience can improve the conversion rate.
- Enhances customer retention: A personalised customer experience can add to the customer experience and improve lifetime value.
4. AI-Generated Product Descriptions
Product descriptions are crucial for turning browsers into buyers. An effective product description might persuade the end-user to purchase the product by assisting them in understanding it. The creative aspect of writing is now also being covered by artificial intelligence.
AI tools can assist eCommerce companies in developing a product description that will engage customers. Some solutions can automatically produce product descriptions using machine learning and sophisticated algorithms to save eCommerce store owners time. The advantages of AI-generated product descriptions for eCommerce include the following:
- Saves time: Product descriptions can be time-consuming to write. Artificial intelligence can accomplish this and conserve time and resources.
- Cost-effective: Compared to hiring human authors, cost-effective artificial intelligence can help produce superior content copies at lower costs.
- Reduces errors: Grammatical errors in manual product descriptions are occasionally present and nearly inevitable. Content produced by AI is more likely to adhere to stringent grammar norms.
5. Image Recognition And Visual Search
The customer might occasionally desire to look for a product online but struggle to do so. The typical situation for most shoppers is this. The “search by image” or “reverse image search” capabilities can be useful in this situation. Complex algorithms and artificial intelligence can be used in visual searches to detect the items that customers are looking for online and deliver comparable results.
Additionally, it can assist eCommerce companies in identifying and tagging product photos. Leading online retailers like Amazon already offer this type of search feature on their websites so users can find things using photographs. The following are advantages of using visual searches in eCommerce:
- Effective product discovery: Providing clients with the option to search for products using photographs can enhance their experience.
- Improved User Experience: A visual search can ease shoppers’ effort to find the correct item and enhance their overall shopping experience.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence is now more widely used than in research labs and tests. It may significantly minimise human labour and make life much easier if applied effectively. The eCommerce landscape has undergone a significant change thanks to AI and its increasingly inventive and practical solutions. It is being embraced by eCommerce companies quickly. The eCommerce industry is undergoing an AI revolution as companies adapt to AI-related market trends to thrive in a cutthroat environment.
edited and proofread by nikita sharma
