The world has been talking about Artificial Intelligence for years. From driverless vehicles to virtual assistants, Artificial Intelligence has made strides in various industries, including customer service.
Artificial Intelligence in customer service is already widespread, with many companies using chatbots, virtual assistants, and other technologies to handle a wide range of customer needs.
But what does the future hold for Artificial Intelligence in customer service? Below, we’ll look at data from the State of Artificial Intelligence report and some expert-backed predictions to show where the technology is headed.
Companies will use chatbots more frequently
One of the most apparent trends in AI-powered customer service is the increased adoption of chatbots. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, the global chatbot market size may reach $27,297.2 million by 2030, registering a compound annual growth (CAGR) of 23.3% from 2023 to 2030.
Several factors are driving the growth of chatbots:
- Chatbots are cost-effective compared to hiring and training human customer service representatives. Juniper Research reports that chatbots will generate $11 billion in combined cost savings for the retail, banking, and healthcare business sectors as replacements for customer service representatives by the end of this year.
- According to HubSpot research, 36% of customer service reps surveyed found that the most crucial benefit of using AI tools was that the technology makes customer service available 24/7 of the week. Chatbots can handle customer inquiries anytime without outsourcing or hiring more employees to answer subsequent inquiries.
- 30% also responded to the survey stating that AI tools help reduce average handling time, such as collecting customer information before starting a conversation with a representative.
Chatbots are becoming more sophisticated and can handle many customer inquiries, from simple questions about product specifications to more complex issues like returns and refunds, so that chatbots can be even more important for customer support teams in the future.
Artificial Intelligence will offer more personalized customer experiences
As Artificial Intelligence advances, customer service experiences will likely become more personalized. Those surveyed in the State above Artificial Intelligence report showed resounding confidence in the ability of Artificial Intelligence to offer more personalized experiences (46%) and messages (50 % ).
Artificial Intelligence tools can use data from a customer’s purchase history, preferences, patterns, and feedback to personalize their experience. This can result in product recommendations and customer service interactions tailored to benefit them in the customer journey.
Artificial Intelligence will have improved predictive capabilities
Another trend we are likely to see in AI-powered customer service is enhanced predictive capabilities. As Artificial Intelligence becomes more sophisticated, it can predict customer needs and behaviours more accurately, which could improve customer experiences and increase customer satisfaction.
For example, Artificial Intelligence can determine when a customer will likely make a purchase based on their behavior and purchase history. This information can drive a customer service interaction based on unique needs and solutions, such as offering a discount or a personalized product recommendation at an optimal point in the journey.
There will be an ongoing debate on the role of Artificial Intelligence in customer service
The debate about Artificial Intelligence’s role in customer service will likely continue. Some people argue that Artificial Intelligence will eventually replace human customer service reps. In contrast, others believe the two will always work hand in hand, as 61% of customer service professionals say most reps will use Artificial intelligence/automation in their role by 2024.
The reality is likely to be somewhere in between. While Artificial Intelligence can handle a wide range of customer inquiries, there will always be situations where a human touch is necessary.
For example, a human customer service representative may be necessary to ensure a positive outcome when dealing with complex or emotional customer issues. Artificial Intelligence is not currently equipped to navigate consumer psychology. But as technology evolves, who knows how multifaceted it can become?
Artificial Intelligence in customer service is here to stay
Artificial Intelligence in customer service will grow in the coming years. From increasing chatbot adoption to creating immersive customer experiences, Artificial Intelligence can transform how companies interact with their customers. However, it is worth remembering that Artificial Intelligence is not a replacement for human customer service representatives; it is a tool that can improve the customer journey. By combining Artificial Intelligence with human expertise, companies can create exceptional customer experiences that drive loyalty and improve results.
