New Salesforce research Shows How AI Agents Can Step In as Consumer Trust Slips

Salesforce’s latest State of the AI Connected Customer research reveals consumer trust in companies is at a record low and that AI is raising the stakes for brands. Today, 69% of consumers believe that advances in AI make trust even more important, and with AI agents on the rise, the findings point to real opportunities for companies to win back consumers with trustworthy AI agents this Christmas. This opportunity is greatest with Gen Zers, with 51% of Gen Z consumers saying they’d be comfortable having an agent shop for them.

Why it matters: Faced with a challenging Christmas shopping season and sinking consumer trust, brands can’t afford to get AI wrong – especially as more than $200 billion in global online sales will be influenced by AI this Christmas. AI agents, or intelligent software that understands and responds to customer inquiries without human intervention, can help companies drive higher margins and keep consumers buying by delivering incredible customer service. From alleviating clunky purchase experiences to difficult return processes, there’s an agent for that. But to build trusted customer relationships, brands need trusted AI agents that are grounded in transparency and the right data.

Some of the other key findings of the AI Connected Customer research include:

Consumers trust less, expect more

Consumer trust is at its lowest point in eight years, and advances in AI make earning that trust more critical than ever.

• Nearly three-quarters (74%) of consumers trust companies less than they did a year ago
• 61% feel companies are reckless with customer data

It’s not just about trust; consumers also expect best-in-class experiences.

• 76% of consumers expect consistent interactions across departments
• 65% of consumers prefer using fewer touchpoints to get information or complete a task

While better deals are a top driver for consumers to switch to a new brand, customer service experience, convenience, and consistent product or service quality drive more long-term brand loyalty.

• 48% of consumers say poor customer service experience will stop them from making a repeat purchase from a company or brand
• 40% of consumers say that inconvenience, such as a difficult return process or clunky purchase experience, will cause brands to lose them

In Ireland, younger consumers are most open to AI agents

The research shows Gen Zers and millennials are more willing than older generations to use AI agents to improve their customer experience by creating more personalised, or useful content.

Younger generations, in particular, hold companies to a higher standard when it comes to adapting to and anticipating their needs – 61% of Gen Zers and millennials say AI raises the bar for customer experiences compared to just 32% of baby boomers.

Gen Z and millennial consumers are more likely than older generations to consider the benefits provided by agents.

Transparency is key to building consumer confidence in the AI agent era

Despite the promise of young shoppers, many consumers haven’t made up their minds on AI yet. 43% of consumers are neutral about AI’s impact on their lives, whether personal or professional.

In fact, many consumers feel a mix of suspicion (41%) and curiosity (43%) about the future of AI —revealing a ripe opportunity for companies to help consumers see and understand the benefits of AI agents.

• 39% of consumers would work with an AI agent instead of a person to avoid repeating themselves
• A third of consumers – even more among Gen Z (50%) and millennials (39%) – would work with an AI agent instead of a person for faster service
• 30% of consumers — even more among Gen Z (47%) and millennials (34%) – would share their personal information with an AI agent so it can better anticipate their needs

To build confidence in the agent experience, businesses need to bridge the trust gap through more transparency.

• 77% of consumers want to know if they’re communicating with an AI agent
• 56% are more likely to use an AI agent if there’s a clear escalation path
• 50% are more likely to use an AI agent if its logic is clearly explained

“Retailers face a much more competitive shopping season this year, as they look to deliver higher margins in the midst of increasing customer demands. AI agents can help brands deliver consistent, personalised experiences for shoppers across every channel – deepening customer loyalty and ultimately driving more sales.” commented Michael Affronti, SVP and general manager of Commerce Cloud, Salesforce.

 “Since introducing Agentforce at Saks, we are beginning to see the real potential for autonomous AI agents to augment our teams’ ability to provide personalised and efficient customer support. AI agents will streamline routine tasks, such as order tracking, enabling our service teams to prioritise more meaningful customer interactions and focus on delivering a high-touch, tailored customer experience. We’re excited to continue enhancing our luxury shopping experience and exploring new ways AI agents can continue to further elevate our service.” said Mike Hite, Chief Technology Officer, Saks Global.

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