AI is replacing search engines as a shopping guide, research suggests
COPENHAGEN: Three in four people who use AI are turning to the likes of ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot to get advice and recommendations on shopping and travel instead of using the previous online method of search engines like Google, new research shows.
AI-supported online shopping is done at least occasionally by 76% of AI users, with 17% doing so most or even all of the time, according to a study conducted by the market research institute Norstat on behalf of Verdane, a leading European investment company.
The changes in consumer search behaviour pose a major challenge not only for search engine providers like Google but also for manufacturers and retailers, who must adapt to maintain their visibility in the AI-driven world.
AI chatbots have emerged as powerful tools for tracking down specific products, often providing helpful advice in response to complex and specific queries.
Of the survey respondents, 3% are dedicated AI enthusiasts who always use AI tools instead of search engines when shopping online, while 14% said they mostly use AI and 35% do so occasionally.
A total of 7,282 people from the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland aged between 18 and 60 participated in the survey in June.
The highest proportion of AI use is in online travel research, at 33%. This is followed by consumer electronics (22%), DIY and hobby supplies (20%), and software or digital subscriptions (19%). However, AI usage is still relatively low in fashion and clothing (13%), cosmetics (12%), and real estate (7%).
Among AI tools, ChatGPT is far ahead of its competitors and 86% of AI users regularly use OpenAI's chatbot. This is followed at a considerable distance by Google's Gemini (26% regular users) and Microsoft's Copilot (20%).
The Chinese AI bot DeepSeek, which has been the subject of heated debate among AI experts and data protection advocates, appears to have no significant role among consumers in Europe. – dpa
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Napino Tech Ventures and Teksun Launch Rapidise with $4M Seed Funding to Accelerate AIoT Product Innovation and Electronics Manufacturing
SAN FRANCISCO and NEW DELHI, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Napino Tech Ventures Pvt. Ltd. (NTV) and Teksun Microsys Pvt. Ltd. have launched Rapidise Technology Pvt. Ltd. (RTPL) with $4 million in seed funding, aimed at transforming how AI-enabled connected devices are designed, engineered, and manufactured at scale. Rapidise serves as a one-stop Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) for startups, SMBs, and enterprises developing next-generation, AI-powered products. As an ODM, Rapidise not only manufactures but also designs, prototypes, certifies, and manages the full product lifecycle, enabling customers to focus on branding and market strategy while Rapidise delivers turnkey innovation. 'Rapidise unites best-in-class product engineering with scalable manufacturing to accelerate AIoT innovation,' said Vaibhav Raheja, Board of Director at Rapidise and at Napino Auto. Strategic Vertical Integration for Scale Rapidise integrates product design and engineering expertise from Teksun with Napino group's advanced electronics manufacturing infrastructure in India. This vertical integration supports rapid innovation and high-volume production for sectors such as automotive, healthcare, industrial, and consumer electronics. The company has already delivered over one million smart IoT devices and holds $81M+ in booked orders across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and APAC. 'Our vision is to be a world-leading ODM player, recognized for innovation, agility, and commitment to empowering intelligent, high-performance solutions,' said Brijesh Kamani, Founder and CEO of Rapidise. 'By combining engineering and manufacturing under one roof, we're ready to power the next generation of AI-enabled IoT products.' Global Manufacturing Excellence Headquartered in India, Rapidise operates fully automated, Japanese SMT lines (Class 7 Clean Room), Camera Module Manufacturing (Class 6 Clean Room), AI-powered PCB assembly lines, mechanical tooling, and full box-build assembly infrastructure. This enables the production of complex electronics, including: IoT modules and gateways Camera modules, dash cameras, and body-worn cameras 5G-enabled surveillance systems and automotive edge AI devices Infotainment devices, smart TVs, and mobile phones Smart Devices for Agri-tech, Fin-tech, Utilities and Industry 4.0 Applications Faster Go-To-Market with ODM Marketplace With 300+ R&D engineers and modular, production-ready platforms (RISE IoT Modules), Rapidise accelerates custom IoT, AI, and connected solution development. This reduces engineering risk and shortens time-to-market. 'We're transforming how products are built — from concept to mass production,' said Ashish Chinthal, Chief Business Officer at Rapidise. 'Our self-service platform delivers instant quotes for engineering and manufacturing, enabling on-demand ODM services that are faster, more accessible, and fully transparent.' Strategic Semi-Conductor Ecosystem Partnerships Driving AI Innovation Rapidise collaborates with leading semiconductor and connectivity companies to integrate advanced AI, connectivity, and edge processing into its platforms. These partnerships accelerate innovation at the intelligent edge, enabling customers to launch connected products faster and at scale. 'The collaboration showcases how ecosystem partnerships can accelerate scalable AI innovation. It's a strong example of India-led co-innovation powering intelligent edge solutions globally,' said Manmeet Singh, Senior Director & India Business Head of Automotive, Connectivity, Broadband & IoT, Qualcomm India. Rapidise Snapshot HQ in India with global presence (US, EU, APAC) 300+ engineers in electronics hardware, embedded software, cloud, AI, and manufacturing Strategic partnerships with Qualcomm to co-develop AI-ready connected solutions Turnkey delivery: Design → Prototype → Certification → Manufacturing → Support For more information, visit or contact info@ Photo:
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
AI will not replace jobs, but redefine them
GEORGE TOWN: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not the threat to employment it is often made out to be, instead, it is rapidly transforming Malaysia's job landscape — not by replacing human workers, but by creating new roles and redefining existing ones. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said that as Malaysia accelerates its transition into a digital economy, the public must shed the fear that AI will lead to widespread job losses. "We must move away from the fear that AI is here to take away jobs. "The evidence shows that AI is transforming jobs, not eliminating them. Those who adapt and upskill will find more opportunities, not fewer," he told newsmen here after the launch of the 52nd ARTDO International Conference. Elaborating, Sim said a national labour market study commissioned by his ministry late last year revealed that up to 60 per cent of employers across 10 key economic sectors expected AI to lead to job creation, particularly in areas requiring advanced digital skills. The study, which included extensive inputs from industry stakeholders, is now informing national policy on workforce readiness. "AI is changing how we work, not eliminating the need for work itself. "The question is not whether AI will take over, but whether we are preparing Malaysians to work with AI," he added. Sim said the ministry was actively responding to these changes by expanding training and upskilling initiatives through platforms such as MyMahir, a national skills-matching portal. He said under the ministry's initiative, over 33 government-run industrial training institutes and various private providers were now offering AI and digital literacy courses. He said these courses are aimed at equipping the workforce with relevant competencies in an increasingly automated landscape. "With the right upskilling, workers can transition into higher-value roles rather than being displaced. "AI literacy must become mainstream. Not everyone will become an AI engineer, but basic familiarity with how AI works will soon be essential across nearly every profession," he said. He also said that his ministry was working to integrate AI ethics and governance into public awareness, recognising that responsible deployment was just as important as technical know-how. During the recent National Training Week, between 40 and 50 per cent of offerings had AI components, including modules on ethical usage, data protection and digital responsibility. "We want Malaysians to not only use AI but to use it responsibly. "Understanding the social, legal and moral implications of AI is a national priority. We are building not just a skilled workforce, but a trusted digital society," he said.
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Tesla picks Samsung to make next-gen AI6 chips under US$16.5b deal, says Musk
SEOUL, July 28 — Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Monday that tech giant Samsung Electronics will provide his company with its next-generation AI6 chips, following the South Korean firm's announcement of a US$16.5 billion (RM69.7 billion) deal. Samsung said Monday it had secured an eight-year agreement, without naming the client, describing it only as a 'major global company' in a regulatory filing. Under the deal, the partnership — effective from last Thursday — runs through the end of 2033. 'Samsung's giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip. The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate,' Musk said on X. 'Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency,' he added, calling it a 'critical point' in striking the deal. 'I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress,' he said, noting Samsung's Texas plant was 'conveniently located not far from my house'. The deal represents about 7.6 percent of Samsung's projected annual sales for 2024, the company said. It declined to confirm the client was Tesla, even after Musk's message, citing confidentiality. The agreement is expected to provide a major boost to Samsung, which has faced headwinds in its foundry business, lagging rivals SK hynix and Taiwan's TSMC in the race for cutting-edge artificial intelligence chips. Samsung Electronics is the flagship unit of South Korea's Samsung Group, by far the largest of the family-run conglomerates that dominate Asia's fourth-largest economy. The company said this month that it expected operating profit to fall 56 per cent on-year and 31 per cent from the previous quarter, citing a slump in its core semiconductor division. Experts have attributed the decline to weaknesses in its foundry operations, which involve contract-based manufacturing of chips designed by other companies. — AFP
