Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethical E-commerce Practices

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr Prateek Sachdev, the managing partner of Mobikasa-

1. How do you envision the future landscape of e-commerce being shaped by the strategic integration of augmented reality and artificial intelligence?

In my experience, the Ecommerce landscape has been rapidly adopting new technologies and integrating them to heighten customer experience and encourage repeat purchase behavior. The integration of augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) will further create a dynamic and immersive shopping experience.

Here’s how I envision the future shaping up:

Enhanced Product Visualization (AR Product Try-Ons): Customers can virtually try on products before making a purchase, be it clothing, jewelry, shoes, accessories or even home decor and furniture. AI algorithms will refine these simulations for a more realistic and personalized experience.

Personalized Recommendations: Integrating AI into the e-commerce platform will enhance the accuracy of personalized recommendations. These algorithms rapidly analyze user behavior, preferences and suggest products tailored to individual tastes.

Interactive Shopping Experiences: Augmented reality brings products to life in a very realistic and tangible way, i.e. allowing users to interact with 3D models, explore features and understand details.

AI-Enhanced Search: Algorithms power advanced search functionalities within AR interfaces. For example, users buying furniture online, can simply point their devices at their living room area and AI will identify, categorize, and provide relevant furniture recommendations or purchase options.

Seamless Integration of Online and Offline: Augmented reality for In-Store Navigation in case of physical stores, will assist customers in navigating through aisles in real time, help with locating products, and accessing additional information.

In essence, this convergence not only transforms how consumers engage with businesses but also empowers retailers with data-driven insights for more effective decision-making and business strategies.

2. What upcoming trends and groundbreaking innovations do you predict at the crossroads of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the e-commerce domain?

In my opinion the top 5 innovations in the next decade will be the following.

Extended Reality (XR) convergence of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) will create immersive and seamless experiences for users. Users will be able to move fluidly between the physical and ecommerce stores for enhanced product interactions.

AI-Driven Visual search capabilities using AI algorithms to analyze images in real time and provide search results. Users can take pictures of real-world items while walking through a store and AI will identify or recommend similar products in e-commerce catalogs with direct buy links.

Voice-Activated Shopping with Augmented reality Integration of voice-activated commands for hands-free shopping experiences. Users will verbally interact with AI-powered virtual assistants to explore products and make purchases.

Blockchain for Augmented reality commerce will enhance security and transparency in e-commerce transactions. Blockchain will be used to verify product authenticity, track the supply chain, and secure payment processes.

WebAR will make augmented reality experiences more accessible by eliminating the need for users to download specific mobile apps. This will lower barriers to entry for AR-enhanced e-commerce and increase user engagement.

3. When addressing concerns about ethical considerations related to dynamic pricing, hidden fees, or potentially deceptive product information, how would you approach these issues to ensure consumer trust and transparency?

I think addressing ethical concerns related to dynamic pricing, hidden fees, or potentially deceptive product information is crucial for maintaining consumer trust. These are some of the steps I would take:

Clear Communication and ensuring that pricing details, including any dynamic adjustments, are communicated clearly to customers. Communicating the transparency in pricing, explaining factors that contribute to price changes such as expedited delivery / same day delivery, helps consumers understand the value they are receiving.

Clearly disclose all fees associated with a purchase. Etailers should avoid hidden fees and provide a clear breakdown of the total cost including taxes, shipping and any additional charges.

Help consumers by providing comprehensive and accurate information about products. This may include detailed product descriptions, product specifications and clear images. Truthful product information while avoiding exaggerations or misleading claims contributes immensely to consumer trust and confidence.

4. In the realm of pricing strategies, what actionable steps can e-commerce enterprises take to instill confidence in consumers, demonstrating a commitment to ethical standards and transparency, particularly concerning dynamic pricing, hidden fees, or potentially misleading product information?

In addition to what I said in my previous comment, there are several more actionable steps E-commerce enterprises can take to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and ethical standards.

Consider offering price guarantees for a certain period. Assure consumers that the price they see at the time of product selection or placement in the cart will be honored, even if there are subsequent fluctuations due to dynamic pricing.

Clearly communicate shipping costs and delivery times upfront. This avoids unexpected shipping charges by providing consumers accurate estimates and allowing them to choose from shipping options based on their preferences.

The focus should be on ethical use of consumer data. Educating your consumer on how data is collected, used, and protected gives them the assurance that their data will be handled responsibly and ethically, adhering to privacy regulations and industry best practices.

Encourage and display consumer reviews and ratings prominently. Genuine feedback from other consumers can provide valuable insights and build trust. You should focus on responding transparently to reviews, whether they are positive or negative, demonstrates accountability and improves social credit.

5. How do you perceive the role of e-commerce businesses in actively contributing to the well-being of the communities they operate within, and what strategies would you recommend for fostering positive community impact?

As an E-commerce business owner myself, I believe that e-commerce businesses have the potential to play a positive and impactful role in contributing to the well-being of the communities they operate within. There are several ways in which they can make it happen

Prioritize hiring from the local community. By providing job opportunities, e-commerce businesses contribute to reducing unemployment rates and improving the economic well-being of the community.

Businesses should source products and services locally whenever possible. This step not only strengthens local economies but also promotes sustainability by reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation.

Invest in skills development programs for local community members. E-commerce businesses can offer training sessions, workshops, mentorship programs to enhance the employability of individuals in the community.

Implement sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. E-commerce businesses can reduce their ecological footprint by adopting eco-friendly packaging, minimizing waste and explore renewable sources for their operations.

Embrace fair labor practices within the business. This includes providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth, contributing to the overall well-being of the workforce.

6. What steps should an E-commerce business take to ensure compliance with data protection regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA?

In the realm of E-commerce, adherence to data protection regulations is paramount. Any e-commerce business owner should follow these specific steps to stay in compliance

Determine Applicability. As a business owner you need to identify the regulatory framework that applies to your own e-commerce business. GDPR focuses on the data of EU residents, while CCPA pertains to businesses handling personal information of California residents.

Data Mapping: Undertake a comprehensive audit to map and catalog the data your business collects, processes, and stores.

Define Legal Basis for Processing: You need to clearly define the legal grounds for processing personal data to your consumers.

Privacy Policies and Notices: Craft and update transparent, user-friendly privacy policies and notices. Ensure these documents clearly communicate the data collection practices, usage, and the rights users hold under the relevant regulations.

Data Minimization: Practice data minimization by collecting only the essential information required for the intended purpose. Avoid unnecessary or excessive data collection.

Security Measures: Implement robust security measures to safeguard personal data. Employ encryption, access controls, routine security audits, and ensure secure data transmission and storage.

Employee Training: Provide regular training to employees on data protection policies and best practices. Cultivate an understanding of the importance of protecting customer data and ensure staff members are aware of their responsibilities.

By methodically following these steps, an E-commerce business can establish a robust framework for data protection, mitigate risks, and underscore a commitment to upholding customer privacy within the confines of applicable regulations.