AI shopping assistants are becoming consumers' first choice, with nearly 60% relying on them during purchases. Professor Luca Cian notes this marks a shift toward augmented decision-making, where people offload choices to AI while keeping final decisions. Surprisingly, almost half trust AI more than friends for fashion advice.

New hardware entered the market with Meta and Oakley's smart glasses featuring AI assistants ($399-$499). These devices offer 3K video recording and open-ear audio, targeting athletes and shoppers who want hands-free experiences. Brands can leverage these for immersive marketing through augmented reality.

U.S. workplaces saw AI usage double since 2023, with 40% of employees now using AI tools daily. Gallup reports this spike stems from AI's help in customer service, data analysis, and productivity tasks. Marketing departments increasingly deploy AI agents for personalized outreach and consumer insights.

The restaurant industry adopted AI at scale, with Dine Brands rolling out automated marketing tools across Applebee’s and IHOP. Their systems handle personalized promotions, tech support, and smart staffing. AI cameras even monitor table turnover to improve service speed, showing how agentic systems optimize operations.

Supporting this growth, new statistics reveal 83% of companies prioritize AI in business strategies. The AI market now values $391 billion globally and employs 97 million people. Netflix's $1 billion annual revenue from AI recommendations demonstrates its marketing impact.

Consumers increasingly embrace AI-powered shopping, treating it as a trusted advisor that filters options. This behavioral shift challenges brands to design transparent AI interactions that build trust while avoiding choice overload. Professor Cian emphasizes this creates new marketing touchpoints.

Across industries, agentic AI adoption accelerates as businesses recognize its potential for personalized engagement and operational efficiency. From smart glasses to restaurant promotions, these tools reshape how brands connect with customers while driving global market growth.