Williams-Sonoma’s AI Assistant Triples Shopper Purchases

Williams-Sonoma is putting hard numbers behind what conversational artificial intelligence can do for a retailer’s bottom line. Engagement with Olive, Williams-Sonoma’s AI shopping assistant, has risen 700% since the start of the year, and revenue tied to the tool is up 620%, Sameer Hassan , the company’s chief technology and digital officer, said during a second-quarter earnings call with analysts Aug. “And customers who engage with Olive convert at three times a higher rate,” Hassan said.