Shopify has recently expanded access to its artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including the Sidekick assistant and an image generator, aiming to provide a more integrated and seamless experience for merchants using the platform.
BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 08: The corporate logo of e-commerce company Shopify hangs at the building that contains the offices of Shopify Commerce Germany GmbH on August 08, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. Shopify is a leading, Canada-based company that enables online and brick-and-mortar commerce. Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Enhanced AI Tools for Shopify Customers
Shopify has made its Media Editor tool, initially available only for online product images, accessible on smartphones. This enhancement allows merchants to edit images used in promotional materials such as emails directly from their mobile devices.
Since its launch six months ago, merchants have saved over 1 million AI-generated images to their storefronts.
Additionally, Shopify has expanded the availability of Sidekick, an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist merchants with various tasks.
Sidekick, which was in testing with over 2,000 users, helps merchants generate insights on customer behavior, create discount codes, and suggest blog post ideas. Sidekick access is currently limited, but you can secure your spot by joining a waitlist.
While the responses currently require human approval before being sent, Shopify is considering fully automating this feature in the future to further streamline customer service.
Vanessa Lee, Shopify's vice president of product, tells The Verge that Sidekick is currently available to merchants with English stores in North America, with plans to expand its availability to other languages and regions.
Shopify Announces A Slew of New Updates for the Platform
Shopify's recent updates are part of its "2024 Summer Edition," featuring over 150 new updates. These updates aim to create a faster, more resilient, and more integrated platform for merchants.
One significant update is the reimagined "Markets" feature, which consolidates international selling, B2B expansion, and in-person sales into one central command center. This consolidation simplifies the process for merchants, allowing them to manage multiple sales channels from a single location in their admin.
Another noteworthy update is the introduction of AI-powered product categorization. This tool helps merchants by automatically suggesting taxonomy for product listings, making the products more easily discoverable. This feature not only saves time but also reduces the risk of listing errors, ensuring customers can find products more efficiently.
The expansion of these AI tools comes at a critical time for Shopify. Reuters tells us that the company recently reported its slowest quarterly revenue growth in two years, leading to a significant drop in stock value.
In Other News
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab have developed a new AI chatbot called "Future You" that aims to help young adults reduce anxiety and enhance motivation.
By simulating conversations with their future selves, the chatbot provides a unique perspective on life choices and potential outcomes.
Designed for users aged 18 to 30, "Future You" leverages the power of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model to create natural-sounding conversations and generate personalized "synthetic memories" based on each individual's aspirations, past experiences, and significant life events.
