Generative AI use has grown faster than any technology solution ever before, reading one million users in a mere 5 days! Almost overnight passive search engine queries are being replaced by users’ prompts of a Large Language Model (LLM)  generative AI platform able to instantly provide an active answer, loaded with specific context.

Generative AI tools are becoming increasingly popular among consumers when it comes to shopping for products and services. Brands need to be prepared for this trend and understand how to leverage these tools to enhance their customers’ shopping experience. In this blog post, I will discuss what brands should do to prepare for consumer use of generative AI tools when shopping for the product or service they offer.

Understand the Technology

The first step in preparing for consumer use of generative AI tools is understanding the technology behind them. Brands should have a clear understanding of how generative AI works, its benefits, and its limitations. This will enable them to develop strategies that leverage this technology to enhance their customer’s shopping experience.

Gather Data

Brands should gather as much data as possible about their customer’s preferences and behaviors. This data can be used to train generative AI algorithms to generate personalized recommendations and offers. It can also be used to identify patterns and trends that can inform marketing strategies and product development. Noted – this data changes faster now than ever, so doing ongoing monitoring is smart to stay in tune with evolving trends.

Develop Personalized Recommendations

Generative AI tools can be used to develop personalized recommendations for customers based on their previous purchases and behavior. Brands can use this information to generate personalized offers that are more likely to resonate with customers and increase sales.

Focus on Customer Experience

Brands should focus on enhancing the customer experience when using generative AI tools. This means ensuring the tools are easy to use, and the recommendations are relevant and personalized. Brands should also ensure that the tools are integrated seamlessly into every aspect and phase of the digital experience so they do not disrupt the customer journey.

Ensure Data Privacy

Data privacy is a major concern for consumers when it comes to using generative AI tools. Brands should ensure that customer data is collected and stored securely and that they comply with all relevant data protection regulations. They should also be transparent about how customer data is used and provide customers with the option to opt out of data collection.

Develop a Comprehensive Strategy

Brands should develop a comprehensive strategy for integrating generative AI tools into their business. This should include identifying the use cases where generative AI can add value, developing a roadmap for implementation, and identifying the resources required to execute the strategy. This will ensure that the use of generative AI is aligned with the broader business strategy and objectives.

Test and Refine

Finally, brands should test and refine their generative AI tools regularly. This will enable them to identify any issues or areas for improvement and make the necessary adjustments. It will also ensure that the tools remain relevant and effective as customer behavior and preferences evolve over time.

In conclusion, generative AI tools offer significant opportunities for brands to enhance their customer’s shopping experience. By understanding the technology, gathering data, developing personalized recommendations, focusing on customer experience, ensuring data privacy, developing a comprehensive strategy, and testing and refining their tools regularly, brands can prepare for the growing trend of consumer use of generative AI tools when shopping for the products and services they offer.