Sendbird launches advanced AI chatbot for Shopify merchants

Sendbird has introduced a new AI chatbot for Shopify, powered by OpenAI's latest Large Language Model (LLM) GPT-4o. This development aims to streamline the integration process, giving 4.6 million Shopify merchants access to web chat functionalities that enhance customer interactions and boost sales conversions. Available in the Shopify App Store, the no-code AI chatbot seamlessly connects to merchant store data via Shopify's APIs.

The chatbot can handle various tasks, including answering frequently asked questions, making product recommendations, providing support contact information, and enhancing customer satisfaction and transactions. Merchants have the capability to customise and test their AI chatbots before deployment, allowing them to tailor responses to fit their specific business needs.

John S. Kim, CEO and Co-Founder of Sendbird, said, "The impact AI will have on the future of e-commerce and consumer purchasing habits is unquestionable. Our goal with the new AI chatbot for Shopify is to level the playing field so that all merchants, regardless of technical expertise, can compete for customers using the latest LLM technology and with no-code integration and automated AI chatbot training on store data."

The AI chatbot connects directly to store data, including product listings, business information, delivery times, return policies, store hours, contact details, shipping options, and payment methods. This comprehensive connectivity allows the chatbot to answer a wide range of customer queries and make more personalised product recommendations. For customers requiring human assistance, the chatbot can quickly escalate the conversation to a human agent, ensuring that all customer needs are met efficiently.

Shailesh Nalawadi, Head of Product at Sendbird, emphasised the potential of this technology for smaller merchants: "The future of e-Commerce will evolve as retrieval augmentation generation (RAG) gets smarter, faster, and better aligned with individual businesses and shoppers' expectations. Sendbird's AI chatbot for Shopify allows smaller merchants to access the RAG benefits of cutting-edge AI without requiring the necessary in-house technical expertise."

Sendbird aims to democratise advanced AI technology, enabling merchants of all technical levels to leverage LLM technology. By providing a no-code solution, the company is removing traditional barriers to entry, empowering merchants to improve customer engagement and drive sales in an increasingly competitive market.

As consumer expectations continue to rise, especially in an AI-driven and culturally reshaped future, brands are under pressure to become more perceptive and develop anticipatory behaviours. A survey by Dentsu projects that by 2035, consumers will expect brands to anticipate their needs, necessitating innovative solutions to understand consumer desires and align them with business needs. Integrating technologies like Sendbird's AI chatbot represents a strategic first step in this direction, enhancing brands' ability to transition from insight to foresight.