Will AI replace Online Merchants?

AI can do 82% of the work Online Merchants do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 14 of their 34 tasks, while 14 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 5 still need a person.

AI is already doing this14 · 34% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Compose descriptions of merchandise for posting to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.Mostly automated6% of time
  • Promote products in online communities through weblog or discussion-forum postings, e-mail marketing programs, or online advertising.Mostly automated5% of time
  • Investigate products or markets to determine areas for opportunity or viability for merchandising specific products, using online or offline sources.Mostly automated3% of time
  • Compose images of products, using video or still cameras, lighting equipment, props, or photo or video editing software.Mostly automated3% of time
  • Prepare or organize online storefront marketing material, including product descriptions or subject lines, optimizing content to search engine criteria.Mostly automated3% of time
  • Upload digital media, such as photos, video, or scanned images to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Develop or revise business plans for online business, emphasizing factors such as product line, pricing, inventory, or marketing strategy.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Design customer interface of online storefront, using web programming or e-commerce software.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Create or maintain database of customer accounts.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Collaborate with search engine shopping specialists to place marketing content in desired online locations.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Cancel orders based on customer requests or inventory or delivery problems.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Implement security practices to preserve assets, minimize liabilities, or ensure customer privacy, using parallel servers, hardware redundancy, fail-safe technology, information encryption, or firewalls.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Determine location for product listings to maximize exposure to online traffic.Mostly automated1% of time

AI could do this next14 · 47% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.15% of time
  • Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.10% of time
  • Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.3% of time
  • Measure and analyze Web site usage data to maximize search engine returns or refine customer interfaces.3% of time
  • Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.3% of time
  • Participate in online forums or conferences to stay abreast of online retailing trends, techniques, or security threats.2% of time
  • Investigate sources, such as auctions, estate sales, liquidators, wholesalers, or trade shows for new items, used items, or collectibles.2% of time
  • Integrate online retailing strategy with physical or catalogue retailing operations.1% of time
  • Disclose merchant information and terms and policies of transactions in online or offline materials.1% of time
  • Create or distribute offline promotional material, such as brochures, pamphlets, business cards, stationary, or signage.1% of time
  • Transfer digital media, such as music, video, or software, to customers via the Internet.1% of time
  • Initiate online auctions through auction hosting sites or auction management software.1% of time
  • Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers.1% of time
  • Devise, select, or purchase domain name and web address.under 1% of time

Robots can technically do this1 · 1% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Maintain inventory of shipping supplies, such as boxes, labels, tape, bubble wrap, loose packing materials, or tape guns.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time

Still needs a person5 · 17% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.6% of time
  • Order or purchase merchandise to maintain optimal inventory levels.5% of time
  • Determine and set product prices.3% of time
  • Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.2% of time
  • Select and purchase technical web services, such as web hosting services, online merchant accounts, shopping cart software, payment gateway software, or spyware.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. People in this job already use it heavily. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 14 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 14 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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