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From Tap to Circle: How AI is Changing Image Search
March 21
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way we interact with images, leading to significant shifts in consumer behaviour and marketing strategies. One notable development is Google’s “Circle to Search” feature, which allows users to search the web by simply circling objects within images on their devices. This advancement signifies a broader transition from traditional text-based searches to more intuitive, image-centric methods.
The Shift Towards Visual Search
Consumers are increasingly favouring visual search options. A study by Performics’ Intent Lab revealed that 59% of consumers consider visual information more important than textual information across various categories. Additionally, 36% have conducted a visual search, indicating a growing preference for image-based interactions.
This trend is reshaping how users discover products and services online. Visual search enables users to input an image as a query and retrieve relevant results based on that image. This method aligns with the natural human inclination towards visual content and simplifies the search process.
AI’s Role in Enhancing Visual Search
AI-powered image recognition technology has significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of visual search. Platforms like Shopify are integrating AI to enhance retailers’ search functionality, providing personalized and relevant search results. Additionally, AI-driven predictive analytics enable marketers to anticipate trends, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks more effectively, enhancing the overall effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
Implications for Product Placement in Marketing
The rise of AI-driven visual search presents both challenges and opportunities for product placement strategies:
1. Enhanced Product Discoverability: Products that are visually distinctive and well-optimized for image recognition are more likely to be discovered through visual search. This necessitates high-quality images and consistent visual branding.
2. Virtual Product Placement (VPP): AI facilitates the seamless integration of products into various media forms. For instance, AI can generate realistic images from scratch, allowing marketers to showcase products in diverse settings without traditional photoshoots. This capability opens new avenues for personalised and contextually relevant product placements.
3. Data-Driven Insights: AI enables the analysis of vast amounts of visual data, providing insights into how and where products are viewed and engaged with. This information can inform more strategic product placements and marketing decisions.
Adapting Marketing Strategies
To leverage the benefits of AI-enhanced visual search, marketers should consider the following strategies:
Optimise Visual Content: Ensure that product images are high-quality, properly tagged, and optimised for AI recognition to improve visibility in visual search results.
Embrace AI Tools: Utilize AI-powered tools for content creation, campaign management, and customer engagement to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Focus on Visual Branding: Develop a strong visual identity that resonates across platforms, making products easily recognisable in various contexts.
AI is transforming the landscape of visual search and product placement. By embracing these technologies, marketers can enhance product discoverability, create more engaging content, and ultimately drive better consumer engagement.
DeepSeek: The AI Disruptor That Just Shook the Industry
January 31
Artificial Intelligence
In the ever-intensifying AI race, a new player has arrived—DeepSeek—and it’s making waves in ways few anticipated. A Chinese startup operating under the radar until recently, DeepSeek has managed to develop a GPT-4-level model at just a fraction of the cost, estimated at $6 million compared to the $100 million+ spent by OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. The implications of this are massive—not just for AI itself but for global markets, competition, and the future accessibility of artificial intelligence.
Why This Is Important
DeepSeek’s breakthrough shatters the assumption that only the biggest tech giants, armed with billion-dollar war chests, can develop cutting-edge AI models. Their model proves that innovation and efficiency can trump brute-force computing power. The real game-changer? Cost reduction. If DeepSeek can build a world-class LLM for a fraction of what OpenAI or Google spend, the entire economics of AI development shift overnight.
Why Did This Crash NVIDIA’s Share Price?
The stock market responded instantly. NVIDIA, the undisputed leader in AI chip production, saw its stock tumble as investors realized that AI innovation may no longer require massive, GPU-hungry data centers. DeepSeek’s model was trained on far less advanced hardware than what’s typically required, raising a crucial question:
What if AI can be developed with fewer GPUs?
For a company that has been the primary beneficiary of the AI boom, any hint of AI becoming more efficient or less reliant on expensive infrastructure sends shockwaves through the market. If others follow DeepSeek’s lead, the trillion-dollar AI chip race could look very different in just a few years.
What Does This Mean for Europe’s AI Ambitions?
Europe has struggled to keep pace with the U.S. and China in AI development. While the EU prioritizes regulation, ethical AI, and open-source models, it lacks the scale of investment seen in Silicon Valley and Beijing. However, DeepSeek’s cost-efficient breakthrough changes the equation.
If AI can be built cheaper and with fewer resources, it levels the playing field for European companies and research institutions. Europe, with its strength in academic AI research and open-source innovation, might now have an opening to compete without needing billion-dollar AI labs.
What’s Next? My Prediction: AI in Your Pocket Within 24 Months
DeepSeek has set a precedent, and I believe it has triggered an irreversible trend—AI is getting cheaper, faster. If training high-performing models becomes increasingly cost-efficient, we’ll see an acceleration in AI miniaturization.
Right now, running advanced LLMs requires cloud computing power. But within 12 to 24 months, I predict we’ll have fully functional LLMs running locally on smartphones, no cloud needed. Imagine having a personal AI assistant—ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini—running directly on your device, privately, securely, and instantly.
The AI arms race is no longer just about power—it’s about accessibility. DeepSeek has proved that the rules of the game are changing fast. The only question now is:
Who will adapt, and who will fall behind?