NEWS ROUND-UP


Retailers need to invest in ‘visualisation’ technology to boost online sales


Almost half of shoppers would spend more online if they had access to technology that helped them to better visualise and understand how products work, without having to go in store to see them, according to new research. The survey of 1,000 shoppers, conducted by full service e-commerce agency, PushON, found that 45% of people would be more inclined to spend larger amounts online if technology was available that could help them better envisage products online before they buy. Specifically, 40% of consumers would like to use Augmented


Reality (AR) technology to test a product before they buy it, such as via an app that would allow them to place virtual images of products over a real-word view – this way, they can get a feel for how it will look in real life. Technology seems to hold many of the answers when it


comes to encouraging more people to shop online for higher- value purchases. Over half of shoppers (52%) think retailers should invest in technology that enables a better omnichannel experience, so the shopping journey is seamless in store and online. Two-fifths (41%) would like to see improved online security


so they know their money is safe when making expensive purchases – this would make people feel more assured to spend larger sums online. 32% would like to use online services, such as Artificial Intelligence chatbots, so they can get instant answers to their questions, and 17% want to see one-click online shopping to make checking-out easier. Sam Rutley, managing director of PushON, said:


“Technology has been one of the main driving forces behind the transformation of retail over the past few years – it’s the reason we no longer have to just go into stores to buy products.


“By utilising technology, such as digital chatbots that can


act as online customer service assistants or AR apps to help visualise products, retailers will be able to provide shoppers with the same level of service and information they would get in store. This will go a long way towards increasing consumer buying confidence through the higher levels of assurance this technology can offer, meaning they’ll feel comfortable spending more online. “Technology is the future and retailers can’t afford to ignore


the changes that are happening within the sector – particularly when consumers themselves have clocked on to the benefits of investing in it.”


UK Can lead the way on Ethical AI, says Lords Committee


UK Can Lead The Way On Ethical AI, Says Lords Committee The UK is in a strong position to be a world leader in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). This position, coupled with the wider adoption of AI, could deliver a major boost to the economy for years to come. The best way to do this is to put ethics at the centre of AI’s development and use concludes a report by the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence, AI in the UK: Ready, Willing and Able?, published today.


The Chairman of the Committee, Lord Clement-Jones, said:


“The UK has a unique opportunity to shape AI positively for the public’s benefit and to lead the international community in AI’s ethical development, rather than passively accept its consequences. “The UK contains leading AI companies, a dynamic academic research culture, and a vigorous start-up ecosystem as well as a host of legal, ethical, financial and linguistic strengths. We should make the most of this environment, but it is essential that ethics take centre stage in AI’s development and use. “AI is not without its risks and the adoption of the principles proposed by the Committee will help to mitigate these. An ethical approach ensures the public trusts this technology and sees the benefits of using it. It will also prepare them to challenge its misuse.


“We want to make sure that this country remains a cutting-


edge place to research and develop this exciting technology. However, start-ups can struggle to scale up on their own. Our recommendations for a growth fund for SMEs and changes to the immigration system will help to do this. “We’ve asked whether the UK is ready willing and able to take advantage of AI. With our recommendations, it will be.”


The Committee’s five principles are: 1. Artificial intelligence should be developed for the common good and benefit of humanity.


2. Artificial intelligence should operate on principles of intelligibility and fairness.


3. Artificial intelligence should not be used to diminish the data rights or privacy of individuals, families or communities.


4. All citizens should have the right to be educated to enable them to flourish mentally, emotionally and economically alongside artificial intelligence.


5. The autonomous power to hurt, destroy or deceive human beings should never be vested in artificial intelligence.


The Committee calls for these principles to form the basis of


a cross-sector AI code, which can be adopted nationally, and internationally.


www.isopps.com 03


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19