Shopify Launches AI Tool To Improve E-commerce Platform

Shopify has expanded the availability of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools (photo: x @Shopify)

JAKARTA - Shopify has expanded the availability of artificial intelligence-based tools (AI), including Sidekick assistants and image-making features, to more users on Monday, June 24. This step was taken to increase the appeal of its e-commerce platform and drive revenue growth.

Customers can now use image editing tools on their smartphones to repair images used in promotional materials, including emails, according to the Canadian company at their biennial product event. This feature was previously limited to editing product images online.

Shopify is also expanding access to Sidekick, a chatbot that helps traders with questions, including insights into customer behavior, which has been tested since last year with more than 2,000 users.

According to Shopify's President, Harley Finkelstein, the company has released more than 150 updates designed to create more integrated platforms to allow traders to have an integrated and seamless experience in developing their business.

Last month, the company said it would invest in marketing after forecasting its lowest quarterly revenue growth in the past two years, causing its stock to fall to its lowest level in six months and removing the market value of USD 25.25 billion in Canada that day.

Shopify's growth surged during the pandemic as stay-at-home orders forced consumers to switch to online shopping, but high inflation and uncertainty in consumer spending in recent years have affected its main user base, namely small and medium enterprises.

Shopify's market capitalization has fallen more than half from its peak in November 2021 to 112.67 billion Canadian dollars today.

However, some analysts see this latest weakness as an opportunity to buy. "The R&D SHOP investment goes far beyond competitors, resulting in an unrivaled range of features and capabilities that keep the company at the forefront," said analyst at JP Morgan, adding that the company had just penetrated 11% of the total US$60 billion worth of service market.