AI holiday cheer: Your personal shopping assistant

As holiday cheer starts to fill the air, some of us may feel the pressure of finding the perfect gift – the one that shows how much our loved ones mean to us. This year, we might just get some help in easing that pressure, thanks to a little holiday sparkle from technology.  

Artificial Intelligence is stepping in as an alternative personal shopping assistant this holiday season. JMU math professor Hala Nelson says, “AI tools like language model-powered chatbots are transforming how customers shop, using AI-based marketing built on your scrolling and engagement habits.” From recommending thoughtful gifts to placing your orders and even having them shipped, AI is making holiday shopping more efficient than ever before.  

Nelson shared her own experience of using AI to find a Christmas gift for her husband, tailoring the search to his interests such as travel, history, and men’s fashion, all within a specific budget. While the suggestions were thoughtful, Nelson says that the potential for AI doesn’t stop there. She anticipates AI to seamlessly integrate shopping, ordering, and shipping to be one cohesive experience.  

This level of personalization is possible because of advancements in AI technologies that merge physical and digital shopping experiences by integrating multiple applications that traditionally operated in isolation. Nelson notes that some companies are leading the way in AI integration, while others are still adapting. 

So, how can you use AI to enhance your holiday shopping this year? Here are a few tips: 

• Add a personal touch: AI can help you buy the perfect present, but only you know the personal meaning behind the gift. Use AI to get ideas, but let your unique touch make it truly special. 

• Take full advantage of AI: Use AI to stick to your budget, find the best deals and discounts, use virtual try on tools, find unique items, discover new brands, small businesses, and more. 

• Double-check with reviews: AI can help you find gift options, but look at reviews before hitting “buy” to check quality, durability, performance, etc.  

“I foresee a future where AI agents accompany many aspects of the shopping experience, whether in stores or virtually,” says Nelson. “The more we make our AI agents interact like humans do, the more they will be helpful with automation, or even reading our minds at scale. That said, I still like human beings more.”