Embarking on a journey to IKEA sans a plan can swiftly transform into an overwhelming experience. To alleviate this, GPT Store introduces an AI assistant designed to guide customers through product details and offer room visualizations.
Ingka Group’s Strategic AI Integration
Francesco Marzoni, Director of Data and Analytics at Ingka Group, IKEA’s largest franchise owner, highlights the AI assistant as a pivotal component in their experimental initiatives. This aims to actively engage with the evolving landscape of AI, aligning seamlessly with the company’s strategic vision.
User Experience: Testing IKEA’s AI Assistant
Emilia David from The Verge conducted a trial of the AI assistant, seeking storage ideas for a small living room/bedroom. While the assistant provided suggestions and even included a room photo, the user found traditional browsing on the IKEA website more convenient. The AI’s redirection to the site somewhat diminished the purpose of having an on-hand assistant.
Functionalities and Future Expansion
Despite this, the GPT IKEA assistant proves beneficial for specific queries, such as detailed information about products in the IKEA Marketplace, notes NIX Solutions. This eliminates the need to seek assistance from busy human staff, streamlining the customer experience. Currently exclusive to ChatGPT Plus users in the US, Ingka Group plans a global expansion shortly.