Insights
Guus van de Mond: Artificial Intelligence is Quickly Becoming Accessible to Everyone
The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in e-commerce is boundless. AI enables personalized offerings, suggestions based on image recognition, and round-the-clock customer support through chatbots. It’s an ideal moment to talk with Guus van de Mond, founder of Squadra, and alongside Leon Gerritsen, an authority in our latest e-learning course, Introduction to AI for E-commerce.
Artificial Intelligence is a Commonly Used Term. But Do Many Companies Still See It as Something Distant or Irrelevant?
“I believe that’s not the case. The pace of developments in this field is astonishing. AI represents a new technology brought about by the fourth industrial revolution. Although it may have initially been adopted by major companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Google, it is now rapidly becoming accessible to all businesses. We are currently in a stage where AI is taking over certain tasks previously performed by humans, which permits smaller organizations to operate more efficiently, enhance their productivity, and boost revenue.
In fact, most of us encounter AI on a daily basis without even being aware of it. Consider the times you watch a movie based on personal recommendations or receive a package the day after you ordered it. AI and algorithms are at play in all these scenarios.”
How Would You Define AI in Your Own Words?
“AI is essentially a set of techniques. There is often some misunderstanding due to the various interchangeable terms used. AI consists of techniques designed to perform specific tasks that used to require human intervention. Thanks to algorithms, AI can execute these tasks more effectively than humans, particularly in certain domains.
To facilitate this, access to vast amounts of data is essential. Hence, data science forms the foundation of intelligent techniques such as AI and machine learning.”
What AI techniques Can You Identify in E-commerce?
“There are numerous applications for AI in e-commerce. We can categorize them into four main techniques:
- Cognitive application. This pertains to recognizing and processing video, audio, and text. It involves extracting information from images and written content efficiently.
- Predictive modeling. This technique forecasts potential outcomes, such as recommendations based on prior shopping habits, which are often seen on websites like Amazon and bol.com. It can also predict expected sales figures.
- Classification. This technique automatically categorizes data. For example, if you have 10,000 products in your online store, classification can help you sort them quickly and affordably.
- Optimization. This technique identifies the best and swiftest solutions. For instance, how many sandwiches should be prepared and packed to meet demand without excessive leftovers? "
Many Businesses Aim to Create Personalized Offers for Their Customers. How Does One Go About This?
“Firstly, it’s crucial to gather a significant amount of data. This includes monitoring not just sales figures, but also what customers are searching for and clicking on, whether on the website or in emails. With this data, you can create a personal profile for each customer. Once you’ve gathered enough data, algorithms can be employed to curate personalized offers. There are many tools available to assist with this process.”
What Advice Do You Have for Webshops Looking to Start Implementing AI Today?
“Begin by examining the various stages in the customer journey. Identify where your organization creates the most value and how you could utilize AI. If customer service consumes a lot of your time, consider integrating chatbots. Alternatively, if delivery is your bottleneck, explore avenues to optimize your warehouse operations.
A quick win would be to use AI to generate unique, automated product descriptions for your online store. Not only does this enhance customer satisfaction, but it also improves your search engine rankings, leading to increased site traffic and higher conversions. Companies like Action and BCC are already using this strategy successfully.”
Why Should E-commerce Professionals Definitely Engage with the Introduction to AI for E-commerce e-learning?
“The industry is evolving rapidly. If you don’t keep up with these changes, you may fall behind. The e-learning course is user-friendly, and not overly technical, making it accessible to everyone. Even if you’ve already begun your journey into AI, the numerous examples will help you stay informed about the latest advancements in this field, making this course essential.”
Interested in this e-learning opportunity? Visit e-academy.org (in Dutch).
