Get Up Close with Google Cloud AI

Happy New Year! In this first More Than Meets the AI issue of 2025 we’re diving into the AI-focused trends and opportunities retailers see on the horizon this year and exploring what Google Cloud AI has to offer.

If you’re not already subscribed, you can sign up to get the monthly newsletter here. We’d love your feedback, so please share in the comments or contact editor Liz Glagowski on LinkedIn.

Let’s Talk AI shorts: Up close with Google Cloud AI

We’re back with another episode of Let’s Talk AI shorts. In this video series, TTEC’s Armen Kirakosian chats with leading experts about the latest in AI.

Today, Armen chats with Google’s Ben Royce about all things Google Cloud AI. In this clip, Ben shares how sky’s the limit when it comes to using Google Cloud AI to tap into creativity.

And in the full interview, Ben and Armen discuss best practices in keeping up with AI advancements, the benefits of sandboxes, and Ben’s best advice when leveraging AI in your business. Check it out on TTEC.com.

At NRF, retail’s future runs on data and insights

As retailers converged in New York City earlier this week for the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show, one thing was clear: AI is no longer a differentiator in customer experience; it’s table stakes. Rather than focusing on specific AI tools or applications, conversations centered around how brands can use AI to deliver more personalized shopping experiences.

Here are some of the main takeaways and themes Cara Rosner and Elizabeth Glagowski heard:

• Brands are seeking ways to blend digital and in-person shopping experiences more seamlessly. Connecting data across multiple platforms will be key.
• Retailers plan to experiment with collecting and acting on more data and insights from in-store shoppers: who they are, what they buy, how they travel through the store, and more.
• In-store shopping is becoming more experiential, where inventory on store shelves may be reduced but customers can design and create their own products, see live demos, and partake in interactive activities.
• Retailers see social selling as a major pathway to growth (even if a proposed TikTok ban in the United States happens), especially when it comes to reaching Gen Z consumers.

What’s trending in AI

Trends report: Top 3 trends for elevating CX with automation in 2025

Blog: Data dominates, AI agents reign for pragmatic public sector enterprises in 2025

Blog: CX Trends: In 2025, AI and insights become truly transformative

Article: Make way for autonomous AI agents