Opinion: Artificial intelligence could help brick-and-mortar stores achieve a new golden age

A worker demonstrates how customers can scan an app at the Amazon Fresh exit to complete their shopping. — Chicago Tribune/TNS

Before Covid-19, financial pundits were busy predicting the inevitable death of brick-and-mortar retail stores. But two years later, we Americans are emerging from the pandemic, remembering that in-person shopping is actually something we enjoy doing, and are heading back to the brick-and-mortar stores in droves. Is it possible to reconcile this behaviour with the recent phenomenal rise of online shopping?

It actually is. These two trends point to an exciting, lucrative reconciliation that could reward consumers, entrepreneurs and investors — the arrival of artificial intelligence in retail shopping. AI is promising to transform the way Americans shop.