Technology

4 in 10 Online Shoppers Give Product Discovery Experiences a ‘C’ Grade or Below, According to New Study

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2024

Constructor survey highlights opportunities for retailers to ‘make the grade,’ as shoppers express interest in more tailored search results and AI-driven features that help them find the best items

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cookie-cutter online shopping experiences. Pages (and pages) of search results that don’t fit the bill. Filtering functionality that’s so limited, it might as well not be there. If scenarios like these sound familiar — and you have trouble finding the right items when shopping online — you’re not alone. According to a new survey from Constructor, more than 4 in 10 online shoppers (42%) give product discovery experiences on retail websites a “C” grade or below.

The data — part of Constructor’s second annual State of Ecommerce Search and Product Discovery report — highlights implications for retailers of not “making the grade,” along with high-impact opportunities for improvement. Nearly 900 shoppers across the US (585) and UK (311) participated in this year’s study, completing an online survey about their preferences and experiences when they search and browse on ecommerce websites, excluding Amazon.

Search struggles & slowdowns
Shoppers cite search difficulties — nearly 7 in 10 (68%) think the search function on retail websites needs an upgrade. This was felt more strongly in the US (71%) than UK (61%), with search challenges including:

Scrolling, scrolling, still scrolling… 44% of shoppers say it takes at least 3 minutes to wade through search results and locate the product they need. For more than 1 in 5 (21%), it takes at least 8 minutes. Only a quarter of shoppers (24%) describe finding products online as “quick.”Query doesn’t compute: 41% of shoppers say they have to “frequently” or “always” reformulate search queries to get ecommerce search engines to understand what they mean. 85% do so at least “sometimes.”That’s not quite right: For 42% of shoppers, although search results are technically relevant to their queries (e.g., they search for “shirts,” and shirts get returned), the products aren’t what they’re hoping to see and don’t reflect their preferences. This is a bigger pain point in the UK (48%) than US (38%).

Additional struggles across both search and product discovery include:

Have we met… ever? Despite their previous engagement and purchase history, more than 4 in 10 shoppers (44%) say that when they shop with their favorite retailer online, the site treats them like a total stranger — with generic recommendations and a total lack of personalization across the buyer journey.Can this be more fun? Less than 1 in 3 shoppers (32%) say finding products online is “enjoyable” — highlighting an opportunity for retailers to create experiences that drive deeper engagement.

The benefits of getting it right
Poor product discovery experiences often breed poor results. For instance, online shoppers say when they can’t find what they want, they’re more likely to leave the retail site (52%) and take their wallets elsewhere — buying the item(s) from a different retailer (48%) such as Amazon (38%) or through Google (27%).

But shoppers say if they knew an excellent search and product discovery experience awaited them at an ecommerce site, they would:

Shop more at that retailer — 62%Choose that retailer first for their shopping needs — 42%Leave a positive review — 41%Pay 5-10% more for the item(s) they’re searching for — 24% (up from 15% last year)

“Good product discovery experiences literally pay off,” said Nate Roy, strategic director of ecommerce innovation, Constructor. “The bar for a good digital experience continues to rise, and successful retailers work to meet and exceed shopper expectations. As technology and cost barriers drop, it’s even easier for retailers to make incremental changes that measurably improve both the shopper experience and business results.”

Charting a path for improvement
For retailers looking to enhance product discovery and realize more of the benefits above, shoppers provided a wishlist for improvements. They say their search experiences would be better with:

Results that better reflect what they’re looking for — 45%Better filtering of results — 1 in 3 (33%)Personalization of search results — 30% (however, only 18% among those 60 years and older)Autocomplete functionality — 27%Better integration of online and in-store experiences — 24%; a bigger priority in the US (28%) than UK (16%)

Mobile matters
Mobile commerce continues to soar; survey data shows more than 6 in 10 shoppers (61%) do at least half of their online shopping from their mobile device. What’s more, 1 in 5 shoppers (21%) do all their online shopping via mobile — underscoring the importance of unfettered product discovery in mobile environments.

Shoppers ages 60+ were just as likely as other age groups to do all their online shopping from a mobile device (21%). However, those 60+ were also far more likely than other age groups to do their online shopping exclusively from a computer (30%). In contrast, only 4% of those ages 18-29, 3% of those 30-44, and 10% of those 45-60 years old use only the computer (not mobile) for online shopping.

Tapping into GenAI
Generative AI (GenAI) is becoming increasingly pervasive across both business and consumer landscapes. More than half of shoppers (51%) say they’ve tried ChatGPT and other GenAI tools (e.g., Bing Chat, Google Bard) in their daily lives — up significantly from 29% last year. Usage varies by age group: Among those 60+, 26% have tried GenAI tools, while those 18-29 years old report the greatest use (64%).

This increased comfort and familiarity has important implications across ecommerce product discovery — highlighting opportunities for retailers to take advantage of the technology:

More receptive to GenAI: More than half of shoppers (52%) say they’d be “very” or “somewhat” comfortable using ChatGPT and other GenAI tools that understand human language to help discover the best products for them — up 10 points from last year (42%).This varies by age: Among those 60+, only 34% note they would be “very” or “somewhat” comfortable.Let’s be clear: Nearly half of shoppers (49%) say it’s “very important” that retailers are transparent about their use of GenAI (53% in the US and 41% in the UK).

Given shoppers’ interest in, and openness to, the technology, it’s incumbent on retailers to identify use cases that will drive the most value. And with 80% of shoppers “often” or “sometimes” going to ecommerce websites unsure of what to buy (e.g., when they’re looking for a gift, starting a new hobby, etc.), there’s an opportunity to use GenAI to improve search processes and paradigms.

That’s because when shoppers are uncertain or wavering, sites often don’t help them out: Nearly 1 in 3 shoppers (32%) say when they’re unsure what to buy, retail sites make it “somewhat difficult” or “nearly impossible” to find the right item(s). But shoppers think GenAI-based features and technologies can help, and it behooves retailers to listen:

Searching in sentences: 44% of shoppers would like the ability to explain themselves in longform sentences in search (not just typing terse keywords) — and have the search bar understand.Engaging with AI assistants: When they’re unsure, more than 6 in 10 shoppers (61% — and 44% of those 60+) would “definitely” or “probably” be willing to let an AI shopping assistant help them — for example, explaining to the assistant through the search interface what they’re trying to accomplish, and getting personalized, in-stock suggestions.

In addition to AI assistants, looking across the ecommerce landscape, shoppers think GenAI has high potential to improve areas including:

Product recommendations — 41%Visual/image search — 36%Personalization — 33%Fraud detection — 25%; a bigger priority in the US (29%) than UK (19%)Virtual try-on — 21%Customer support — 20%

“There’s great interest in applying GenAI to ecommerce and, correspondingly, there’s also been a great pace of innovation,” said Nate Roy, strategic director of ecommerce innovation, Constructor. “But implementing GenAI for GenAI’s sake isn’t a smart move, and retailers are moving beyond what’s simply flashy to what’ll drive sustained value for them and their customers. Uses like AI assistants are already meeting shoppers’ needs and improving retail results. We encourage retailers to look at where product discovery is heading, and how consumers will increasingly want to engage — and then use AI and other technology strategically to cement themselves as leaders in this future.”

For more information, and to download the full State of Ecommerce Search and Product Discovery report, please visit bit.ly/state-of-ecommerce-2024

About Constructor
Constructor is the only search and product discovery platform tailor-made for enterprise ecommerce where conversions matter. Constructor’s AI-first solutions make it easier for shoppers to discover products they want to buy and for ecommerce teams to deliver personalized experiences in real time that drive impressive results. Optimizing specifically for ecommerce metrics like revenue, conversion rate and profit, Constructor generates consistent $10M+ lifts for some of the biggest brands in ecommerce, such as Sephora, Petco, Birkenstock, The Very Group, home24, Grove Collaborative and Fisheries Supply. Constructor is a U.S.-based company that was founded in 2015 by Eli Finkelshteyn and Dan McCormick. For more, visit: constructor.com

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SOURCE Constructor

Technology

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung Announces Physical AI Vision at San Francisco AI Summit

Published

45 minutes ago

July 25, 2026

Hyundai Motor Group shares roadmap for realizing its Physical AI vision and collaboration strategy with global tech leaders at the San Francisco AI SummitExecutive Chair Euisun Chung presented, “Hyundai Motor Group is evolving beyond the traditional boundaries of automotive manufacturing to become a Physical AI solution company,” adding, “The ultimate Physical AI vision we pursue is the realization of integrated intelligence at the city level”The Group to leverage manufacturing competitiveness and leading robotics capabilities centered on Boston Dynamics, while establishing a data flywheel system connecting real-world operational data with continuous AI model advancementThe Group to leverage strategic partnerships with global technology leaders, including NVIDIA and Waymo, as well as Boston Dynamics’ strategic partnership with Google DeepMindThe Group to collaborate with NVIDIA to develop a Robot Reference Platform that combines Hyundai Motor Group’s and NVIDIA’s Physical AI capabilities

… The initiative to support Korea’s Physical AI industry through an open ecosystem

The Group to cultivate strategic domestic hubs through investments in Saemangeum AI Valley and future advanced industries in Korea’s Yeongnam region

SAN FRANCISCO, July 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) Executive Chair Euisun Chung today outlined the Group’s vision and strategy for Physical AI at the San Francisco AI Summit held in San Francisco, California.

The event brought together approximately 150 attendees, including Executive Chair Chung, business leaders from major Korean companies, executives from leading U.S. technology firms, startup representatives and students.

At the summit, Executive Chair Chung presented the Group’s roadmap for advancing Physical AI and outlined strategic collaboration plans with global technology leaders.

“Hyundai Motor Group is evolving beyond the traditional boundaries of automotive manufacturing by expanding into autonomous driving, robotics and AI Defined Factories, accelerating our transformation into a Physical AI solution company.” — Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung

Accelerating the Transition to a Physical AI Solution Company

Hyundai Motor Group’s Physical AI vision extends beyond intelligent devices such as vehicles and robots to intelligent spaces, including AI factories where AI seamlessly connects and optimizes entire operations. Ultimately, the Group envisions integrated intelligence at the city level, where urban infrastructure is organically connected and operated through AI.

A key differentiator for the Group is its ability to create a data flywheel that continuously connects real-world operations with AI advancement. Drawing on extensive experience in large-scale manufacturing, mobility, robotics and service operations, the Group is positioned to deploy, refine and scale Physical AI technologies in real industrial environments.

Executive Chair Chung also outlined strategic partnerships with leading technology companies, including NVIDIA and Waymo, as well as Boston Dynamics’ strategic partnership with Google DeepMind, to further advance Physical AI capabilities.

By combining Hyundai Motor Group’s manufacturing competitiveness, mobility and robotics technologies and extensive operational data with the AI infrastructure and algorithm capabilities of global technology leaders, the Group aims to help foster a new innovation ecosystem for the Physical AI era.

Executive Chair Chung also introduced initiatives designed to support the growth of Korea’s robotics and AI ecosystem, including the development of a Robot Reference Platform with NVIDIA that combines Hyundai Motor Group’s and NVIDIA’s Physical AI capabilities, as well as investments in initiatives such as the Saemangeum AI Valley.

Physical AI Vision: From Intelligent Devices to Integrated Intelligence at the City Level

During the summit, Executive Chair Chung presented Hyundai Motor Group’s Physical AI vision.

“The ultimate Physical AI vision Hyundai Motor Group pursues begins with intelligent devices such as vehicles and robots, expands to intelligent spaces such as AI factories, and ultimately realizes integrated intelligence at the city level, where urban infrastructure is seamlessly connected and operated.” — Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung

The Group’s vision begins with intelligent devices, where AI capabilities enhance vehicles and robots. It then expands to intelligent spaces, including AI factories where AI autonomously integrates logistics, production and quality management across entire operations.

Ultimately, Hyundai Motor Group envisions city-level intelligence, where critical infrastructure and assets — including energy, mobility and robotics systems — are connected and optimized in real time.

Executive Chair Chung also highlighted the Group’s key strengths in realizing its Physical AI vision:

World-class manufacturing competitiveness: Hyundai Motor Group has built extensive expertise through decades of operating global manufacturing facilities, managing quality systems and optimizing supply chains. This foundation enables the Group to apply AI technologies to products, processes and services while rapidly validating and scaling innovations in real-world environments.Leading robotics capabilities: Hyundai Motor Group has established robotics as a key pillar of its future business portfolio. Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robot Spot®, logistics robot Stretch®, and Hyundai Motor Group Robotics LAB’s next-generation mobile robot platform MobED are recognized for combining technological competitiveness with real-world applicability.

In particular, the humanoid robot Atlas® is emerging as a representative example of Physical AI, supporting and collaborating with people across manufacturing, logistics and mobility environments.

Establishing a data flywheel system: Hyundai Motor Group is establishing a data flywheel system that leverages data generated across manufacturing operations, vehicles, logistics systems and robotics demonstrations to continuously advance AI models. Enhanced algorithms are then reapplied to real-world operations, creating a virtuous cycle that improves performance and strengthens Physical AI capabilities.

Accelerating the Future of Physical AI Through Partnerships with Global Tech Leaders

Executive Chair Chung also outlined concrete initiatives to position Hyundai Motor Group as a leader in human-centered Physical AI through strategic collaborations with NVIDIA and Waymo, as well as Boston Dynamics’ strategic partnership with Google DeepMind.

“By combining Hyundai Motor Group’s strengths in manufacturing, robotics and data with the capabilities of global technology leaders, we can help create a new innovation ecosystem for the Physical AI era.” — Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung

NVIDIA – Advancing Physical AI infrastructure and talent development

Hyundai Motor Group is expanding collaboration with NVIDIA to strengthen Physical AI infrastructure and cultivate AI talent. Building on a supply agreement for 50,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs and a memorandum of understanding signed last year to advance Korea’s Physical AI capabilities, the Group is pursuing a range of initiatives, including the establishment of Hyundai Motor Group Robot Application Center, as well as various collaborations aimed at strengthening Korea’s Physical AI infrastructure and AI talent ecosystem, including the NVIDIA’s AI Technology Center.

In manufacturing, the Group is leveraging NVIDIA’s platform to create more sophisticated digital twins of production facilities, enhancing process design, operational optimization and validation efficiency. The collaboration also includes the integration of NVIDIA’s autonomous driving solutions, including automotive semiconductors, sensors and architecture, with Hyundai Motor Group vehicle platforms.

Waymo – Strengthening autonomous driving collaboration

Hyundai Motor Group continues to strengthen its strategic partnership with Waymo in the autonomous driving sector to support the development of a safe and innovative autonomous driving ecosystem. Autonomous driving vehicles require a wide range of specialized capabilities, including redundant systems for steering, braking, power and communications, dedicated features such as power-operated doors, as well as enhanced functional safety and cybersecurity technologies.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to produce IONIQ 5 vehicles with specific autonomous-ready modifications at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia.

Google DeepMind – Accelerating next-generation humanoid robotics

Boston Dynamics has established a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to accelerate the development of next-generation humanoid robots. Advanced AI models and training systems are essential for robots to perform complex tasks in real-world environments and collaborate effectively with people. Through this partnership, Boston Dynamics robots are expected to achieve greater autonomy and adapt more effectively to complex operating environments.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to establish a robot production facility in the U.S. with an annual capacity of up to 30,000 units by 2028. The Atlas humanoid robot will first be deployed at production facilities including HMGMA before broader deployment is expanded through phased validation.

Building an Open Ecosystem Through the Robot Reference Platform and Continued Investment in Korea’s Physical AI Future

Executive Chair Chung also outlined initiatives aimed at supporting the growth of Korea’s Physical AI ecosystem through open collaboration and continued investment.

“The outcomes of collaboration with global technology leaders should contribute to the growth of Korea’s Physical AI industry. To that end, Hyundai Motor Group plans to foster an open ecosystem that supports innovation in robotics and AI technologies.” — Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung

Key initiatives to build an open ecosystem for robotics and AI innovation include:

Robot Reference Platform: Hyundai Motor Group and NVIDIA are collaborating to develop a Robot Reference Platform that combines Hyundai Motor Group’s and NVIDIA’s Physical AI capabilities.

The platform will provide research robot models to universities, research institutes and startups, helping foster an open ecosystem that supports technological innovation and the development of Physical AI talent while contributing to the broader growth of Korea’s robotics and AI industries.

Supporting universities, research institutes and startups: The Robot Reference Platform is expected to provide universities, research institutes and startups with a standardized hardware and software environment, enabling them to more easily develop and validate Physical AI technologies. The initiative aims to help address challenges faced by organizations with innovative ideas but limited access to commercialization opportunities and validation infrastructure.

Hyundai Motor Group is also continuing large-scale investments aimed at driving the next leap forward in Korea’s industrial and technology ecosystem. Continued investments in Korea’s industrial and technology ecosystem include:

Saemangeum AI Valley: In the Saemangeum region of Jeonbuk State, the Group is developing Saemangeum AI Valley, which includes an approximate KRW 9 trillion investment in AI data centers, robotics manufacturing clusters, electrolyzer plants and AI hydrogen city infrastructure.

In particular, the robotics manufacturing cluster will serve not only as a production base for the Group’s own robotics products, but also as a robotics foundry that provides manufacturing services for small and medium-sized enterprises that lack manufacturing expertise.

Advanced industrial hubs in the Yeongnam region: Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest a total of KRW 42 trillion over the next decade to foster advanced industrial hubs focused on AI-driven manufacturing, future aerospace industries and sustainable energy infrastructure.

Through these initiatives, Hyundai Motor Group aims to strengthen key foundations for the Physical AI era, including data and energy infrastructure, robotics production capabilities and real-world validation capabilities. The Group also expects these investments to contribute to enhanced industrial competitiveness, balanced regional development, job creation and broader economic vitality in Korea.

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication, and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Newsroom, Genesis Newsroom

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company

Technology

Tencent Brings Together AI and Games to Help Preserve and Share Cultural Heritage of New UNESCO Site in Jingdezhen

Published

2 hours ago

July 25, 2026

Tencent applies AI and games to protect, reconstruct, and promote one of the world’s oldest porcelain traditions at newly inscribed UNESCO siteDigital initiatives create a new model for technology-driven heritage preservation globally using a multimodal AI dataset, AI-assisted artifact restoration, and interactive virtual experiences

SHENZHEN, China, July 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tencent (00700.HK) today announced the launch of Digital Jingdezhen: Porcelain Craft Adventure, an AI-powered cultural heritage game that enables users to explore Jingdezhen’s porcelain-making traditions and experience traditional craft techniques through interactive play. The launch coincides with the inscription of the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

Digital Jingdezhen is part of a broader cultural innovation initiative that applies Tencent’s AI and game technologies. Guided by Tencent’s vision of “Tech for Good”, the initiative leverages digital preservation to keep Jingdezhen’s thousand-year-old porcelain culture alive and relevant today, creating a living heritage with sustainable value and broad public engagement, and building a model that could be carried to heritage sites around the world.

Digital Preservation: Restoring and Unlocking Heritage with AI

Jingdezhen has a thousand years of living heritage; centuries of tradition are still active in its kilns today. To preserve this legacy, a cornerstone of the project was the Jingdezhen Porcelain Cultural Heritage Multimodal AI Dataset.

Over decades, historical records, heritage information, and craft specifications have accumulated into a massive volume of data. Tencent applied Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and knowledge graph technologies to transform these dispersed materials into structured digital resources that can be analyzed, extracted, verified, and traced back to their original sources.

The dataset contains more than 30,000 documentary records, over 5,000 ceramic gene specimens, and data on nearly 1,000 representative ceramic artifacts in collections worldwide. It provides a digital foundation for cultural research, exhibition development, public interpretation and AI-powered heritage applications.

Building on this foundation, Tencent has developed a range of industry- and public-facing applications, including the Jingdezhen Ancient Ceramics Gene Database, the World Ceramics Interactive Map, and the Digital Jingdezhen AI Companion, providing researchers, heritage professionals, and the public with innovative AI-powered tools to explore and understand porcelain heritage.

Digital Activation: Bringing Jingdezhen’s Porcelain Heritage to Life Through AI and Games

To bring the public closer to Jingdezhen and its porcelain-making traditions, Digital Jingdezhen: Porcelain Craft Adventure utilizes AI-assisted Procedural Content Generation (PCG) to create the first large-scale digital recreation of the city’s five major porcelain heritage sites and historical production scenes. By rapidly mapping out town layouts and automatically generating architectural structures, decorative elements, and pedestrians, the technology brings Jingdezhen’s historic townscape back to life in the digital world.

The game also features high-quality AI digital humans built on large language models and the Jingdezhen Porcelain Cultural Heritage Multimodal AI Dataset. Through AI voice-driven facial expressions and Tencent Games’ proprietary animation technology, it creates warm, human-centered interactive experiences that make historical knowledge tangible and relatable. At the same time, AI-powered 3D generation allows users to quickly transform an uploaded image into a 3D porcelain form, lowering the barrier to participation and enabling anyone to turn creative inspiration into tangible ceramic forms in the digital space.

Continuing Heritage: Mobilizing the Community

Ensuring the longevity of Jingdezhen’s legacy requires active public participation. Tencent developed the Digital Heritage Guardian (Jingdezhen), a volunteer program built within the Weixin ecosystem. The program enables the public to support the upkeep and stewardship of physical heritage sites, creating a practical channel for community involvement in heritage protection.

“Our work in Jingdezhen is a testament to how ‘AI for Good’ can breathe new life into ancient traditions,” said Zhan Shu, Head of Digital Culture Lab, Tencent. “Working alongside dedicated heritage experts, we have contributed our capabilities in AI and digital technologies to unlock decades of dormant archives for this incredible new UNESCO site. We are proud to help bridge the gap between the thousand-year porcelain heritage and the digital era, creating new ways for the global public to connect with Jingdezhen’s living history, and a model for heritage sites worldwide.”

For media queries, please contact: gc@tencent.com

About Tencent

Tencent is a global technology and entertainment company focused on creating connections and experiences that matter. Founded in 1998, Tencent is driven by its mission to create “Value for Users” and apply “Tech for Good.”

Tencent’s communication and social services connect more than one billion people around the world, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family, access transportation, pay for daily necessities, and even be entertained. Tencent also develops and publishes some of the world’s most popular video games and other high-quality digital content, delivering rich and immersive interactive entertainment experiences. Tencent also offers a range of services such as cloud computing and other enterprise services to support our clients’ digital transformation and business growth. Headquartered in Shenzhen, Tencent has been listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since June 2004.

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SOURCE Tencent