In-Person Think Tank

Crafting Perfection: AI’s Promise for Future Customer Journeys

MASTRO'S STEAKHOUSE San Francisco

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Past Participants



Ed Soo Hoo

Chief Technology Officer

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Juergen Weichenberger

Head of AI Strategy

Chief Data and AI

Chief Marketing Officer

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Dawn Fitzgerald

Chief Technology Officer

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Ari Kaplan

Head Evangalist

think tank insights

The Institute For AI Transformation, hosted a Private Executive Think Tank Dinner entitled “Crafting Perfection: AI’s Promise for Future Customer Journeys”. At this intimate exclusive event, thought leaders in AI from diverse sectors gathered to shape the future of customer experiences, focusing on the role of AI, AR, and VR in improving interactions between businesses and customers.

Journey into this transformative Think Tank session where we explore the power of AI in enhancing customer experiences. This article focuses on the innovative ways AI is reshaping customer journeys, predicting and meet customer needs, personalizing interactions, and streamlining the path to purchase.

Here are some of the challenges we uncovered:

1. Integrating Digital and Physical Retail Experiences Seamlessly

End-users of AI products or solutions are struggling to integrate digital and physical retail experiences seamlessly. Omni-channel strategies are essential to provide a cohesive shopping journey that spans online platforms and brick-and-mortar stores.

2. Delivering Real-Time, Personalized Consumer Engagement:

Consumers demand real-time, personalized engagement that meets their specific preferences. Leveraging AI and AR is crucial for delivering tailored experiences that resonate with individual shoppers' needs and expectations, however we still aren't there yet.

3. Adopting AI & AR for a Competitive Market Edge

Businesses face the challenge of adopting AI & AR to gain a competitive advantage. Embracing these technologies is not just about setting industry standards but also about unlocking new opportunities for market leadership and creating unique customer experiences.

4. Enhancing Retail Efficiency Without Replacing Human Interaction

Incorporating AI in retail should enhance efficiency and the pre-sale experience without replacing human interaction. It's about optimizing processes while ensuring personalized service remains central to the customer experience.

Here are the Data Points:

38.57% of executives view “Seamless Digital-Physical Integration” as critical to their operation

The survey highlighted that 38.57% of executives view “Seamless Digital-Physical Integration” as critical, pointing to the challenge of adapting retail strategies to the consumerization of technology. This shift towards integrating AI, AR, and VR technologies is essential for creating personalized and immersive customer experiences that bridge the gap between online and physical realms, enhancing the overall consumer journey and meeting evolving market expectations.

The emphasis on aligning customer experiences across different channels and life situations reflects a broader industry trend towards holistic and adaptable customer engagement strategies. The data indicates a growing demand for solutions that not only match digital maturity levels across various platforms but also overcome barriers to deliver a consistent and satisfying consumer experience.

"Virtual try-ons have been revolutionary for our clients, showing everyone that blending AI and AR can make shopping exciting and draw more people into stores. It's a clear sign that when we connect with customers online in meaningful ways, it really ramps up the buzz and business in the real world."

Alice Wang

CEO & Co-Founder

"Virtual try-ons have been revolutionary for our clients, showing everyone that blending AI and AR can make shopping exciting and draw more people into stores. It's a clear sign that when we connect with customers online in meaningful ways, it really ramps up the buzz and business in the real world."

Alice Wang

CEO & Co-Founder

"Virtual try-ons have been revolutionary for our clients, showing everyone that blending AI and AR can make shopping exciting and draw more people into stores. It's a clear sign that when we connect with customers online in meaningful ways, it really ramps up the buzz and business in the real world."

Alice Wang

CEO & Co-Founder

"Virtual try-ons have been revolutionary for our clients, showing everyone that blending AI and AR can make shopping exciting and draw more people into stores. It's a clear sign that when we connect with customers online in meaningful ways, it really ramps up the buzz and business in the real world."

Alice Wang

CEO & Co-Founder

58.4% OF CONSUMERS in 2024 are favoring Virtual Fitting Rooms and Try-Ons compared to 32% in 2019.

In 2024, 58.4% of consumers favor virtual fitting rooms and try-ons, a significant increase from 32% in 2019. This trend highlights the growing acceptance and demand for immersive, technology-driven shopping experiences. This shift towards integrating AI, AR, and VR technologies is essential for creating personalized and immersive customer experiences that bridge the gap between online and physical realms, enhancing the overall consumer journey and meeting evolving market expectations.

The emphasis on aligning customer experiences across different channels and life situations reflects a broader industry trend towards holistic and adaptable customer engagement strategies. The data indicates a growing demand for solutions that not only match digital maturity levels across various platforms but also overcome barriers to deliver a consistent and satisfying consumer experience.

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

7:30 PM: Interactive Discussions‍

Participate in dynamic roundtable discussions on AI’s role in business, customer experience, and AI / VR innovation. Topics include:

AI in Decision-Making and Analytics.
Integrating AI and AR into Consumer Retail.
AI’s Influence in Content and Media.
Strategic Approaches in the AI and AR Landscape.
AI for Sustainable Business Practices.
Elevating Customer Experience with AI.
Innovative AI and AR Marketing Strategies.
VR/AR as Game-Changers in Customer Engagement.
The Role of Biometrics in AI-Driven Interactions.
Bridging Digital and Physical Retail.

9:00 PM: Insightful Conclusions and Networking

The evening rounds off with key takeaways, followed by an opportunity to network and establish lasting connections.

9:30 PM: Event Conclusion

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

"Personalization for targeted audiences is where AI really becomes efficient. It's about knowing what each individual needs and tailoring the content accordingly."

Michael Boone

Product Manager Trustworthy AI

Our 6 key insights

Building on the survey data that we gathered from our executives during our Private Think Tank Session

We advocate the following six strategic initiatives

1. Integrated Retail Ecosystems

Forge connections between online and physical spaces to provide a seamless customer journey, utilizing AI and AR to offer real-time, personalized interactions.

2. Data-Driven Personalization

Invest in targeted upskilling initiatives to cultivate a workforce capable of bridging the gap between business needs and AI technology.

3.

Teradata leads in data-driven AI transformation with its powerful analytics platform. By integrating AI and machine learning, Teradata helps organizations unlock valuable insights from vast datasets, optimizing business processes and strategies. Their scalable solutions ensure seamless AI implementation, fostering innovation and informed decision-making across the enterprise landscape.

4.

Lenovo accelerates AI transformation with its robust computing solutions and innovative hardware. Their high-performance servers and workstations are designed to handle the demanding requirements of AI workloads. By offering reliable and scalable solutions, Lenovo enables businesses to deploy AI applications effectively, fostering growth and operational excellence.

5.

Databricks propels AI innovation with its unified data analytics platform. By combining data engineering, machine learning, and analytics, Databricks enables seamless collaboration and faster time-to-insight. Their Lakehouse architecture simplifies data management, empowering organizations to build, train, and deploy AI models efficiently, driving transformative business outcomes.

6.

Our partnership with the United Nations ensures that AI transforms humanity in an ethical and sustainable manner. Together, we collaborate on global initiatives that promote responsible AI development and deployment, addressing key issues such as fairness, transparency, and inclusivity.

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