Google’s generative AI revolutionizing online shopping
In the realm of generative AI, Alphabet’s Google has embarked on a relentless quest to expand its dominion. Their latest foray into this territory comes in the form of advanced search features, as evidenced by their recent announcement of a generative AI-backed online shopping feature.
This feature allows users to virtually try on clothes, opening up new exploration vistas in fashion. Central to this innovation is Google’s new image-based AI model, which serves as the foundation for the immersive try-on experience. With this feature, customers of all sizes, ranging from XXS to 4XL, can visualize how different apparel items will adorn their forms.
The AI model goes beyond mere visual representation, considering the inherent nature of fabrics and their behaviors when worn, resulting in lifelike images that simulate the true experience of wearing clothes.
Initially, Google will introduce the try-on feature for women’s tops, collaborating with Anthropologie and Everlane. However, their ambitions extend beyond gender boundaries, as they plan to extend this capability to encompass men’s clothing in due time. By integrating this feature, Google bolsters its presence in online shopping, enticing customers and merchants alike to flock to its Search platform.
The AI Wars
Yet, the path ahead is not devoid of competition.
Google’s latest move signals significant progress since their initial entry into this field at the beginning of the year with the unveiling of their chatbot Bard. Bard stands as a formidable response to ChatGPT, the popular chatbot from Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
Alongside the try-on clothes feature, Google has introduced additional generative AI-powered tools for travel research, empowering users to explore destinations and map routes.
Google Cloud recently launched consulting services to guide clients in embracing generative AI techniques. These services provide expert advice and tools that enable businesses to leverage automation and harness AI's power to generate content and summarize information. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, as Google’s generative AI tools have been chosen by prominent organizations such as Mayo Clinic and Booking Holdings.
Considering these strides, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is poised to seize the growth prospects within the generative AI market. According to a Grand View Research report, this market is expected to soar to $109.4 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.6% between 2022 and 2030. Alphabet's 40.2% year-to-date stock gains prove that investors are optimistic due to these promising prospects.
Alphabet’s growing generative AI endeavors put them on a collision course with Microsoft and Amazon, both diligently bolstering their own generative AI offerings. Microsoft recently integrated OpenAI’s cutting-edge LLM (Large Language Models), GPT-4, into their Bing search engine and Edge browser, aiming to deliver a ChatGPT-like experience to users. Additionally, Microsoft Azure offers Azure OpenAI Service, facilitating the seamless application of LLM and generative AI techniques across various use cases.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s cloud computing arm, AWS, unveiled Amazon Bedrock — an AI-powered solution designed to expedite the deployment of generative AI-backed foundation models. Amazon also introduced their own language model, Amazon Titan. Through Amazon Bedrock, developers gain access to high-performing foundation models from AI startups like AI21 Labs, Anthropic, and Stability AI, empowering them to build and scale generative AI-based applications.
Rumors suggest that Amazon is also exploring the integration of generative AI features into the search bar of their app, aiming to enhance the search experience for their customers.
