Online shopping has come a long way—but for many customers, it still feels overwhelming. Between comparing deals, digging through product reviews, and checking compatibility or sizing, the path to purchase can feel more like a research project than a shopping trip.

In fact, 54% of shoppers say they visit multiple websites before making a purchase decision. That’s a problem for retailers—because every moment a shopper spends away from your site increases the risk of losing them.

AI shopping assistants are emerging as a powerful solution to keep shoppers engaged, informed, and moving toward purchase—all without the friction of leaving your site.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What AI shopping assistants are (and how they differ from traditional chatbots)
  
• How they enhance customer experience and drive conversions
  
• How to get started with Karley, a next-generation AI shopping assistant
  
• Real-world examples of AI in action
  
• How AI is reshaping ecommerce expectations

What Is an AI Shopping Assistant?

Think of an AI shopping assistant as the digital version of a knowledgeable store associate—always available to help answer questions, provide recommendations, and guide customers through their buying journey.

Powered by conversational AI, these assistants deliver instant, contextual answers to key shopper questions, including:

• Product recommendations
  
• Fit and sizing details
  
• Styling or usage advice
  
• Shipping and return policies
  
• Personalized offers
  
• Technical specifications
  

Traditionally, this role has been filled by AI chatbots—those familiar little pop-ups in the corner of your screen. But as ecommerce evolves, so does the technology. Newer AI assistants, like Karley, move beyond generic chat windows. They’re embedded directly into product pages, delivering real-time answers in the moments that matter most.

Why Retailers Are Turning to AI Shopping Assistants

🧭 Simplify the Shopping Journey

Shoppers often need specific, personal information before they feel confident enough to buy. Yet product pages can only include so much detail without becoming cluttered.

AI shopping assistants help bridge that gap—offering tailored answers in real time, so customers don’t need to open a dozen tabs or dig through fine print. It’s a smarter, faster way to shop.

💰 Boost Conversions and Sales

AI shopping assistants don’t just support shoppers—they sell. By highlighting key product benefits, suggesting alternatives, or answering deal-breaking questions, they keep users on-site and move them closer to purchase.

Karley takes this a step further with conversion-optimized prompts, powered by a proprietary machine learning model. Each product page features pre-generated questions proven to drive action, based on real shopper behavior.

📉 Reduce Support Load

AI assistants can handle a large share of repetitive customer inquiries—saving your support team time and reducing response times for complex cases. That means better resource allocation and happier customers.

🔍 Unlock Deeper Insights

Conversations between shoppers and AI assistants offer a goldmine of insights. What are people most curious or concerned about? What stops them from buying? AI makes it easy to track these trends and refine your strategy.

Getting Started with AI Shopping Assistants

✅ Set It Up—No Heavy Lifting Required

While some AI chatbots require manual configuration and workflow building, Karley is ready out of the box. No need to build complex decision trees or script conversations.

Just install Karley on your product pages—and you're live.

AI Shopping Assistants in Action

🚀 Karley

Karley helps brands increase conversions by predicting and answering customer questions right on the product page. For example, outdoor retailer evo uses Karley to handle technical product questions across their gear catalog.

The result? Over $3 million in incremental revenue annually—and a better experience for every shopper. Karley performs especially well in categories with high consideration or complex product specs, where shoppers need guidance to buy with confidence.

🛒 Amazon’s Rufus

Launched in early 2024, Rufus is Amazon’s AI assistant, integrated across mobile and desktop experiences. Rufus helps customers search, compare, and shop smarter—setting a new standard for digital shopping support.

🏪 Walmart’s GenAI Assistant

Walmart’s AI assistant, announced in mid-2024, is part of the retailer’s push to transform from “a place to buy items” into a full-service digital shopping destination. Their goal: to make their assistant a trusted, always-available companion for every need or occasion.

The Bigger Picture: AI Is Shaping New Shopper Expectations

With retail giants like Amazon and Walmart embracing AI shopping assistants, customer expectations are shifting fast. Shoppers are beginning to expect:

• Instant answers
  
• Personalized support
  
• Smart recommendations
  
• Seamless experiences
  

To stay competitive, retailers must meet this new standard—or risk falling behind.

Conclusion: The Future of Online Shopping Is Here

Whether you call them chatbots, assistants, or AI sales associates, one thing is clear: these tools are changing how people shop.

AI shopping assistants help shoppers get the information they need—faster, easier, and more personally. For retailers, that means higher engagement, more conversions, and better customer relationships.

With solutions like Karley, you don’t need to build from scratch. You can start delivering next-level shopping experiences—right now.

Ready to see Karley in action?

Let’s make your product pages smarter, your shoppers happier, and your sales stronger.