ChatGPT has become the talking point of many water-cooler chats globally. It represents a new era in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, offering billions of people the capability to generate human-like responses in real time. Across so many different industries, ChatGPT has had an incredible impact and has revolutionized communications in a few short months. On a wider scale however, there is little doubt that AI is changing the world in more ways than we can even imagine, and closer to where I typically operate, we are beginning to see the dominance of AI in the live commerce and shoppable short video industry.
The emergence of AI has completely transformed how live commerce can operate, enabling businesses to offer more personalized and interactive experiences and recommendations to their customers. We are starting to see AI-powered chatbots being used to interact with customers in real time, answering their questions and providing recommendations based on their preferences during a live commerce show.
Another way in which AI has been transforming live commerce is through its ability to analyze customer data — a move that has enabled businesses to gain deep insights into customer behavior, preferences and buying patterns. The information gathered is used to inform marketing strategies and product offerings, helping businesses to better engage with customers, increase their sales and improve customer satisfaction and retention.
We have by no means reached the end of the road, however, and just around the corner, there is a new AI development waiting to be released into the live commerce and shoppable short video space — AI-powered hosts and influencers. With natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) technologies, the rise of virtual influencers or hosts will dramatically change the way content is created for the industry.
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These virtual personalities, created through AI, are digital representations of real-life people designed to influence consumer behavior. The generation of these “content creators” is quick, cost-effective, and can be manipulated in various forms. In an industry where “content is king,” this could quickly become a major game changer, particularly for brands struggling with the operational inefficiencies of content production often associated with live and video commerce.
In the live commerce industry, AI-powered virtual influencers can have a significant impact by providing a new and engaging way for businesses to promote their products, thus reaching a wider audience. These virtual influencers may be the perfect recipe for shoppable short videos, where the need to interact live is not required, and a solution to creating engaging and impactful content for brands.
As the industry continues to strive forward, I believe that AI-powered content will be adopted sooner rather than later. Allow me to explain some of the key reasons why.
Firstly, virtual influencers can generate high levels of engagement and long retention time with viewers. They can use their virtual personalities to create relatable and compelling content, resonating with their target audience. This can help businesses reach new customers and increase customer loyalty.
Secondly, it would be a cost-effective alternative to traditional influencer marketing campaigns. AI-powered virtual influencers do not require salaries, travel expenses or other associated costs. What’s more, they don’t get tired!
Another reason is the customizability of AI, meaning virtual influencers can be designed and adapted to meet specific brand requirements. This will allow businesses to align their virtual influencer with their brand values and messaging.
Finally, AI algorithms can collect and analyze data from virtual influencer campaigns to help businesses understand their target audience and improve marketing strategies. This data can be used to optimize content, improve the user experience and drive sales.
AI-powered virtual influencers have the potential to greatly impact the live commerce and shoppable short video industry and it looks set to become mainstream in the next couple of years. So the next time you watch an anchor reading the daily news, or an influencer doing a product demo, the reality is that they might not be your regular Joe!
Overall, just as the rise of written AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT and various chatbots are changing how businesses operate, the emergence of AI in live commerce and short shoppable videos will similarly have a huge impact. It will provide businesses with a tool that will boost engagement and revenue whilst also cutting costs.
Latif Sim is Chief Strategy Officer at BeLive Technology, overseeing the company’s strategic growth and direction. Prior to BeLive Technology, he worked across both private and public sectors as well as within the startup industry. A strategic thinker, he brings the structured management and approaches of the public sector to the dynamism of a startup. BeLive Technology is a leading provider of live commerce and shoppable short video solutions in Southeast Asia, with a platform employing advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning developed specifically for live video analysis, live commerce, shoppable short videos and interactive live streaming. Live streams powered by BeLive Technology have reached more than 100 million viewers worldwide, amounting to more than 50 million hours of content.
