Product recommendations
Retail Worker · Sales Associate / Stocker
“Product recommendations” (Retail Worker) is being replaced by AI: it entered in 2020 and is projected to be largely replaced by 2028.
What this task is
Sales associates ask about and observe what customers need, explain product features and how different models compare, and suggest the right model, size or outfit combination.
How AI replaces it
E-commerce recommendation algorithms target suggestions using browsing and purchase history, while in-store smart screens and LLM assistants answer product questions. These spread from 2020, and most routine recommendations are expected to come from systems around 2028.
What stays human
Expensive purchases, fittings and emotionally driven buys still rely on associates, who act more like personal advisors and draw on system data to tailor their suggestions to each customer.