58% of French Prefer AI Over Friends for Shopping

Artificial intelligence is gradually establishing itself as an essential tool in our daily lives, including in the realm of shopping. According to a study conducted by Accenture, reported by Les Echos, 58% of French people trust AI more than their friends when it comes to making purchasing decisions. This survey, which questioned 2,005 consumers, highlights the growing interest in virtual assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude.

However, this trust in AI is not absolute. The study reveals that only 26% of French people would be willing to entrust the final purchasing decision to artificial intelligence. Moreover, a mere 10% are ready to let an AI finalize a purchase completely autonomously. These figures indicate that, despite the enthusiasm for AI, a certain caution remains regarding delegating crucial decisions.

In response to this shift in behavior, some retailers are integrating AI to enhance the customer experience. Carrefour, for example, has developed an application using ChatGPT. This application allows customers to find recipe ideas, check product availability on shelves, create a shopping cart based on their needs, and choose a delivery method before finalizing the purchase on Carrefour.fr.

On a global scale, the Accenture study, which surveyed over 25,000 people across 16 countries, reveals that 74% of respondents trust AI more than their friends for shopping. Additionally, 32% of participants would allow AI to make a final decision, while 9% would let it complete a transaction autonomously.

Accenture emphasizes that "consumers are redefining the rules of brand value. Overwhelmed by too many choices, a lack of time, and fine print, they are turning to AI and going well beyond what most brand managers expect." AI is thus becoming a valuable ally in simplifying choices and optimizing the purchasing process.