Trend AI moves from back-office enabler to front-line purchase advisor
Summary
Capgemini's third chapter argues that AI has moved from working quietly behind the scenes to acting as a trusted adviser at the point of purchase. Its role is no longer limited to automating tasks but extends to improving the decisions people make. AI now interprets preferences and behaviour and offers real-time, conversational help through chatbots and virtual assistants. Consumers, meanwhile, research more thoroughly before buying, comparing platforms and drawing on reviews and expert advice. This places AI at the centre of how shoppers are guided toward a choice.
Classification
Main topicAI & Computing
Region menusGlobal
Impactscope:global
Time horizon4-10 years (2026-07-26)
Published2026-06
Last updated2026-09-30 12:56 KST
Evidence 2
- State of the Consumer 2026: When tech acceleration and cost pressures collide McKinsey & Company page=4;section=Chapter 1: The new tech-driven path to purchase - How people discover and decide is changing rapidly 2026-06 accessed 2026-07-26
- What matters to today's consumer 2026: How AI is transforming value perception Capgemini Research Institute page=31;section=AI - The consumer's trusted guide 2026 accessed 2026-07-26
Observed signals 1
Part of issues 3
- IssueAn empowered consumer makes value a moving target for brands3 trends · 0 signals
- IssueChatbot execution lags adoption and risks being read as cost-cutting2 trends · 3 signals
- IssueConsumer AI is adopted widely and paid for narrowly1 trends · 1 signals
Relation types: constitutes · supports
Public id: fm-087a7e7ce16b
