AI as a concept has gradually permeated through markets all around the world, but its integration into marketing is disruptive.

The central idea to this change is computer vision, a subset of AI that involves the use of computer algorithms to identify, interpret, and respond to images. Not only is it revolutionizing customer interactions, but it is also gradually influencing operations and creating new avenues for marketing.

AI computer vision is enabling a level of personalization in retail that was previously unthinkable. Imagine a shopping environment where a system identifies you upon entry into a store and recommends what you have bought before.

This level of customization is not a futuristic vision of how retail environments will operate anymore; it is here and now.

Online, the capabilities are even more impressive. Currently, customers can take pictures of particular products they want to buy, and the AI simply searches for similar products in the database, which increases the convenience for the customer.

Computer vision is also transforming the application of advertising, another essential component of the marketing mix, which has long been the cornerstone of marketing. Previously, companies were using general consumer characteristics in their attempts to reach out to consumers.

Instead, companies can now assess consumer emotions in real time using computer vision, based on facial or even gestural reactions. This technology aids marketers in comprehending how consumers react to their content and adjusting it accordingly.

Installing digital billboards with this technology elevates the experience by dynamically displaying content based on the age, gender, or mood of the surrounding people. Teenagers may view an advert of sportswear, and other generations may view an advert of luxury watches all at once.

Artificial intelligence, specifically in computer vision, has significantly improved the sale of products through social media networks. The technology utilizes images and videos to identify trends, enabling brands to produce more relevant content and share it effectively.

Thus, by identifying relevant true-UGC materials that reference their products, businesses can expand their promotion and strengthen their communication with the audience. We refer to this procedure as "social listening" and it has emerged as a crucial element of contemporary brand management.

In the brick-and-mortar environment, the technology is also revolutionary. Retailers use computer vision to track traffic patterns and improve the layouts and positioning of products in stores. AI-incorporated cameras make it easier to monitor inventory and manage stocks, which in turn saves time in formulating new plans of action.

Computer vision-based queue management solutions allow estimating the periods when there is a high flow of customers and allocating resources properly to enhance customer and store satisfaction.

Although AI-implemented computer vision offers a broad range of opportunities, its application has its own set of difficulties. Users' privacy can pose a significant challenge. Face recognition, a fundamental technology in many applications, has faced criticism for its potential for malicious applications.

With the GDPR in Europe and other similar frameworks around the globe tightening their regulations, corporates must navigate a delicate balance to adhere to the law and safeguard consumer interests. Other than privacy, the use of such high-level systems is costly, and their implementation may require appropriate infrastructure and skilled personnel.

We also need to discuss the issue of data security. The huge volumes of information require strong protection to avoid leakage that would be damaging to both businesses and consumers. Organizations must be aware that their applications have to be not only creative but also legal and safe.

As for the future, the combination of computer vision with other rapidly advancing technologies will offer still further exciting prospects.

For instance, the metaverse represents a previously unexplored virtual environment that facilitates brand and consumer interaction.

Think about touching, feeling, and experiencing a fitting room or walking through a store where every item is sized and customized according to your likes.

Further developments in edge computing will also make it possible to process visual data in real-time, which will allow for real-time personalization to occur on an even larger scale.

AI has now elevated marketing from efficiency to the creation of memorable experiences. Computer vision is becoming an essential tool in the interaction between brands and consumers, as it allows brands to achieve a unique value proposition to counteract competition. The benefits for businesses that are ready to integrate this technology are enormous.

As we prepare to enter a new era in marketing, one thing is clear: AI Customer Engagement Report: Computer Vision & AI are the future of customer engagement. People embrace technology as a tool to innovate and interact, rather than technology separating from them. Businesses aren't ready to fully realize their potential and become marketing leaders. Only time will tell.