Shopify’s recent research reveals that a significant number of Australian retailers (44 per cent) are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation or have plans to do so.
These advanced technologies are being utilised across various areas, with the top five use cases improving employee experience, enhancing the online experience, predictive analytics, handling customer service inquiries, and content creation.
The research highlights that Australian businesses are strategically implementing automation and AI to optimise resource allocation. Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of retailers aim to enhance employee experience and streamline lower-value tasks through automation technology. Additionally, 40 per cent of retailers plan to adopt AI and automation within the next year to support customer service inquiries, while 32 per cent are considering these technologies to improve logistics and delivery processes.
Responding to this demand and seeking to unlock innovative AI opportunities for retailers, Shopify’s Founder and CEO, Tobi Lütke, offered a glimpse into some of the AI product offerings currently under development. One notable offering is Sidekick, an unprecedented natural language interface designed to empower every user. With Sidekick, merchants gain access to an AI-powered digital assistant capable of handling time-consuming administrative work and complex creative tasks.
As the pioneering AI-enabled commerce assistant, Sidekick empowers entrepreneurs to leverage AI’s potential, boosting productivity, streamlining workflows, making informed decisions, and dedicating more time to business growth. Sidekick comprehends and interprets questions or prompts, enabling business owners to generate new ideas or accomplish tasks using everyday language.
“We’ve only just scratched the surface on AI’s real-world application for small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said James Johnson, Director of Technology Services & Enterprise, APAC at Shopify. “As entrepreneurs face new challenges every day – often alone – doing more with less is critical to success and AI technology has the power to increase productivity, improve workflows and make smarter decisions without the need for a technical skillset. This kind of innovation is set to revolutionise what it means to run a small business and support Australian retailers to get ahead.”
Business owners can ask clarifying questions or prompt Sidekick to shorten, rewrite or give feedback. It understands context in real-time, and can help people make smarter decisions that propel their business forward by simply asking things like “how to set up a discount for a holiday sale” to “help me segment my customers so I can better engage them in my marketing.”
As Australian retailers face mounting economic pressures, AI and automation have emerged as crucial tools for enhancing efficiency and doing more with less. Shopify merchant Vincent Lebon, Founder, CEO, and Designer, from Rollie Nation agrees that AI is a game changer, saying “I see AI as revolutionary as the internet. I think AI is going to play a huge, huge role in the future, whether that’s through material science, design, helping make more informed decisions and prediction analysis. I think, right now, people are looking at operational efficiencies, and that’s a very surface level aspect of what AI is going to provide.”
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