New study reveals how AI is reshaping how people shop online — but they still don't really trust it enough (www.techradar.com)

A new study highlights the significant shift in online shopping behavior, with AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini surpassing social media sites for product discovery among UK consumers. Notably, 55% of shoppers have acted on AI-driven recommendations, and 20% prefer AI searches over traditional social media for retail insights. However, despite the perceived helpfulness of AI suggestions, retailers have yet to see corresponding revenue increases. This disconnect may stem from widespread consumer distrust and privacy concerns, as only 10% of shoppers are willing to engage more with AI assistants compared to human interactions. The findings indicate a pressing challenge for retailers: while 79% still favor visiting a retailer’s website and 65% prefer in-store shopping for high-value items, there is a growing expectation for enhanced AI experiences. Concerns about the accuracy of AI recommendations, along with fears of undue influence from manufacturers, hinder wider acceptance. As Malte Ubl, CTO at Vercel, points out, the evolving landscape necessitates rapid adaptation by retailers to meet these changing consumer preferences, making it crucial to address privacy issues and improve features like visual search to foster trust and boost adoption of AI in retail.