Hello! Welcome to the latest edition of On Tech: A.I., a unique pop-up newsletter that aims to educate you about artificial intelligence, its functionality, and practical applications.
In our previous installment, we explored how A.I. can assist you in preparing for office meetings. Now, let’s shift our focus to something more enjoyable: shopping.
For many, the most time-consuming aspect of shopping is the research process. This involves scouring review sites in search of the perfect item, whether it’s coffee equipment or an affordable hotel room that meets your needs.
In this article, I will examine how A.I., specifically through chatbots such as Microsoft’s Bing, Google’s Bard, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, can facilitate quick and efficient product research. Additionally, I will delve into the use of ChatGPT plug-ins, a recent development that enables the creation of grocery lists and aids in travel planning.
Product Research
Let’s imagine that you enjoy making coffee with a French press and are seeking a grinder within a budget of $200. Typically, one would conduct a web search and sift through numerous reviews. However, A.I. chatbots can streamline this process. Bing and Bard, which are directly connected to search engines, are currently the most equipped to provide up-to-date product recommendations.
As is often the case, the results rely on the right prompts. For instance, you can type something like: “Act as a shopping assistant. I am looking for a highly-rated coffee bean grinder suitable for French press brewing. The price should not exceed $200.” Bing and Bard will then present a list of grinders that meet your criteria.
Moreover, you can challenge the chatbots with more complex queries, such as inquiring about the reliability of various household appliances. For example, you might ask, “Act as a shopping assistant. I am in need of a refrigerator. Which brands have the highest reliability ratings, and what are some well-reviewed models?”
The chatbots will provide information on appliances with the highest reliability ratings from reputable sources like Consumer Reports and Wirecutter.
When using chatbots, it’s always advisable to verify results for accuracy. However, conducting a web search to confirm the bots’ recommendations is far more efficient than starting from scratch.
Grocery Shopping
Let’s now explore future possibilities. OpenAI is currently developing a plug-in platform, akin to a third-party app store, that allows users to enhance ChatGPT’s capabilities. Presently, these plug-ins are exclusive to subscribers of the ChatGPT Plus plan, priced at $20 per month, and include features related to web browsing and shopping.
To utilize plug-ins as a paying subscriber, navigate to the ChatGPT settings menu, access “beta features,” and activate the “plugins” option. Then, within the ChatGPT app or website, proceed to the GPT-4 tab and select “plugins.” By clicking on the downward arrow, you can access the plugin store and search for specific applications. For example, let’s start with a plugin for the grocery delivery app, Instacart.
Try using a prompt like: “I am preparing pasta Bolognese. Could you provide a good recipe and list the required ingredients?” The chatbot will present the ingredients for the dish and even offer to generate a shopping list.
Another interesting application of the plug-in is shopping based on dietary restrictions. For instance, you can ask, “I am cooking for a pescatarian. Recommend a meal and list the necessary ingredients.” The bot will suggest a meal, such as lemon garlic butter shrimp, and provide a corresponding ingredient list.
Clicking on the shopping list will redirect you to Instacart, where the items will be automatically added to your cart. You can then choose a grocery store from which to make the purchase.
If you prefer not to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, you can still utilize A.I. for grocery shopping. Try asking Bing for a recipe, followed by a request for the corresponding shopping list. Furthermore, you can even ask Bing to organize the shopping list according to the grocery store aisles.
Travel Planning
Certain plug-ins are also available from travel sites like Kayak and Expedia, aiding in trip planning. For instance, if you’re seeking a highly-rated hotel within walking distance of tourist attractions, up to a budget of $500 per night, the conventional process would involve trawling through reviews and examining maps.
Let’s try using the Expedia plug-in as a time-saving shortcut.
Type: “I am planning a trip to Florence, Italy in July. Find me well-reviewed hotels that are within walking distance to popular tourist attractions. My budget is $500 per night.” The bot will respond with a list of top-rated hotels, rated 9 and above on Expedia, situated near attractions like the Central Market and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Additionally, the Expedia plug-in can be used to search for flights. For example, you can inquire, “I need to fly from San Francisco to Milan, Italy on July 28. What are the best options with short layovers?” ChatGPT will then provide you with Expedia’s results for the shortest flights. In my test, it returned three flights from KLM, Delta, and United, all with single layovers lasting no more than two hours. (Similar prompts were attempted with Bard and Bing, but they only provided generic information and inaccurate ticket prices, which was unhelpful!)
What the Future Holds
In the upcoming edition, we will explore how A.I. can assist in organizing various aspects of your life.
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