The rapid ascent of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has sparked significant concerns in recent times. A new executive order signed this week sets the stage for federal AI standards and requirements and moves beyond previous voluntary agreements with AI companies. It is the most decisive set of actions any government in the world has ever taken on AI safety, security, and trust. The CNBC story has more details. Over three years after the launch of the Shop app by Shopify, which aimed to consolidate Shopify orders and offered some shopping features, the company has now introduced an AI-driven web-based marketplace. This move puts Shopify in direct competition with Amazon. The new marketplace allows shoppers to search and buy all products hosted on Shopify; MarketplacePulse blog has more information. No two e-commerce companies are alike. MACH Architecture and Generative AI are perfect allies for any digital leaders looking to scale sustainably in a way that suits their particular needs. MACH Alliance shares some great insights on how generative AI works with MACH architecture to futureproof E-commerce businesses. Google’s Core Web Vitals were first released in March 2020. According to Google, it was released to “provide unified guidance for quality signals essential to delivering a great user experience on the web.” There are many websites, including e-commerce stores, that need help to achieve passing Core Web Vitals scores. Neil Patel’s blog has some great information that highlights the common shortcomings of a few major e-commerce stores so you can find inspiration for improving your store when it comes to CWV (Core Web Vitals.) The platform economy continues to showcase its dynamism and diversity. While America and Asia-Pacific maintain their leading positions, Europe and Africa offer both potential and challenges for the coming years. Platformeconomy.com has some fantastic data points that show how the global platform economy is undergoing rapid evolution with major platforms like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Apple are fueling this success. Read this and other great stories in this week’s edition.
Notable news from the past week
US Govt’s First AI Executive Order, Requiring Safety Assessments, Civil Rights Guidance, Research On Labor Market Impact
President Joe Biden issued a new executive order on artificial intelligence — the U.S. government’s first action of its kind — requiring new safety assessments, equity and civil rights guidance and research on AI’s impact on the labor market. While law enforcement agencies have warned that they’re ready to apply existing law to abuses of AI and Congress has endeavored to learn more about the technology to craft new laws, the executive order could have a more immediate impact. Like all executive orders, it “has the force of law,” according to a senior administration official who spoke with reporters on a call Sunday. The White House breaks the key components of the executive order into eight parts:
Shopify’s Marketplace Expands to the Web
Shopify’s marketplace is now available on the web, and from afar, it looks like Amazon or any other online retailer. The new marketplace allows shoppers to search and buy all products hosted on Shopify. Shopify’s marketplace, available at shop.app/search, starts with a search bar that allows searching for products and merchants among the millions that use Shopify. Each merchant has a storefront, each product has a page with reviews and detailed information, and shoppers can buy items by adding them to a shopping cart. The same functionality was previously only available in the mobile app Shop. But “by launching Shop on the web, we can enable more buyers to discover and purchase from Shop merchants without having to download an app,” said Shopify in an email to merchants. The marketplace is accessible from a sub-menu on the Shop website, so it’s not meant for mass use yet.
Three Ways Generative AI Works with MACH Architecture to Futureproof E-commerce Businesses
Generative AI does exactly what the name suggests: it takes large amounts of data from various sources and then generates original content, algorithms, tools, and more designed for a specific strategic purpose. By delivering new opportunities to enhance CX, drive growth, mitigate risk, and stay ahead of a dynamically changing digital landscape, e-commerce businesses can’t afford to ignore Generative AI. No two e-commerce companies are alike and MACH Architecture and Generative AI are perfect allies for any digital leaders looking to sustainably scale in a way that suits their very specific needs. With that in mind, here are just three ways in which Generative AI can act within the MACH Architecture to set your e-commerce business up for success in the short, medium, and long term.
What’s the Average Core Web Vital Score for E-Commerce Stores?
Core Web Vitals aren’t going anywhere, and page experience is becoming more important with each day. So important, in fact, that when a site meets the Core Web Vitals thresholds, research shows that users were 24 percent less likely to abandon page load. If you feel like you’re behind the pack when it comes to Core Web Vitals (CWV), you’re not alone. There are many websites, including e-commerce stores, that struggle to achieve passing Core Web Vitals scores. Which part of CWV is tripping up e-commerce stores the most? In this post, I’ll highlight the common shortcomings of a few major e-commerce stores so you can find inspiration for improving your own store.
Platform Economy 2023: U.S. Leads; Europe Lags
The global platform economy is undergoing rapid evolution. America and Asia-Pacific continue to be the driving forces. Both regions are at the forefront, with an average growth across all platforms of 16.12% in 2023 compared to 2022. America impresses with a dominant market share of 80.3% and a total value of $11.321 billion, marking a 23.49% increase from the previous year. Major platforms like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Apple are fueling this success. These corporations not only hold immense economic power but also geopolitical influence, strengthening their position in global digital regulations and trade agreements. Asia-Pacific faced a slight decline with a total value of $2.225 billion, down by 9.31% from the previous year. Countries such as China, Korea, India, and Japan play a pivotal role, hosting several emerging platforms.
Top E-commerce Marketing Strategy Fails and How to Avoid Them
Competition in the e-commerce sector is intense. Therefore, to get the upper hand over your competition, a strong marketing strategy is essential. Creating a strong multichannel strategy for marketing that will balance your business goals with your resources can be challenging to achieve but highly beneficial if successful. Over the last 20 years, countless e-commerce businesses have launched; some have prospered, and others have failed. Here are some common marketing strategy mistakes that hold back growth and ultimately lead to business failure. The right e-commerce platform could be the single most important factor in determining your business’s success. In a nutshell, e-commerce platforms are website builders that are specifically designed to help you sell products on your domain. The way a customer feels while browsing around your e-store largely depends on how your website feels, which means even the smallest of features would come into play (color scheme, user interface, responsiveness, etc.)
How Navigating E-commerce Platform Selection: Driving Success for Your Business
In today’s digital marketplace, selecting the right e-commerce platform is a critical decision that can profoundly impact the success and growth of your business. With a myriad of options available, ranging from established players to innovative newcomers, choosing the ideal platform is akin to steering a ship through turbulent waters. At SkillNet Solutions, we understand the nuances and complexities of e-commerce platform selection, and we’re here to be your trusted navigators on this transformative journey. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key factors that underpin a successful e-commerce platform selection process. Before diving into the critical aspects of e-commerce platform selection, let’s set the stage. As an established firm, you’ve already built a reputation and a customer base. Your journey into the e-commerce world is a strategic move to expand and thrive in a digital age dominated by evolving consumer behaviors.
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