Google AI will help you “be more productive” by writing thank-you notes, said Google’s VP of Devices and Services, Rick Osterloh, in an interview with Joanna Stern of the Wall Street Journal ($/£). Osterloh says putting down the pen and switching to digital thank-yous helped him write “10 times more emails than handwritten thank you notes.” In the future, AI will help us write exponentially more thank-you notes in even less time.
Doesn’t that make you feel sad? The problem is the impersonal nature of such a feature. Google’s AI can do the things a human can do, but it isn’t the things themselves that are important – it’s doing them.
Like many people, I hate writing thank-you notes. I love receiving gifts, and I love giving thanks, but writing thank-you notes turns an occasion into a tedious follow-up chore. Still, on special occasions, I write the notes, because I have also received thank-you notes, and I know how good it feels.
The Pixel 9 Pro will be able to send thank you notes at your command (Image credit: Philip Berne/ Future)
Receiving a thank-you note is the ideal result of gift-giving, aside from the pleasure of giving, of course. When I receive a handwritten thank-you note, I don’t see words on paper. I see the time it took to write them. I see the effort of finding special stationery, digging stamps out of the junk drawer, and posting the letter in a real-world mailbox.
Writing 100 thank you notes after my wedding was grueling work – thinking of something unique and personal to say to everybody. But those aren’t strangers. They’re friends and cousins and colleagues and loved ones. You know: people, relationships, that sort of human thing.
When I receive a thank-you card after someone else’s wedding and it’s two spare lines of writing that barely acknowledges our connection – proof of life for a gift – I’m still honored and tickled. I know the effort it takes, and I appreciate when it’s taken for me.
Being human is an experience, not a result
How many times are we going to have the same conversation, Google? Stop taking the humanity out of my human life. I don’t want an AI that writes thank-you cards, because there is no humanity in it. I don’t want an AI that creates fake memories in the form of photographs. I feel sad when humans promote these AI benefits.
I have the same problem with Google’s latest camera trick. The new Add Me camera feature on the Pixel 9 worked very well in my hands-on time, and it solves a real problem. If you’re hanging out with a group of people and you want to take a group shot, the photographer is left out of the photo. Add Me can add you to group photos using AI.
As a human, I often ask other humans to take a photo of me and my group, and I have never met another human who refused. Thankfully, Google has solved this problem.
Once it’s done, you have an Add Me photo. There you are, standing next to the group. Now, imagine how it will feel looking at that photograph in five years, or 10 years, or so long into the future that you can’t remember everybody’s name. I promise, you’ll get there sooner than you’d like.
A real group photo makes you feel a real connection to people. I remember when a group of us took a photo at the Dorney Park amusement park in Pennsylvania. I remember standing in the back, because I’m tall, and putting my arms around the shorter people in front of me. I wish I’d taken off my hat, because you can’t see my face, but I was there.
I remember being there, and that’s important. In fact, that’s the only important thing.
Even if I’ve forgotten the names of the people in the photo, I’ll still have a feeling of being there. If I use Google’s Add Me, what will I feel? The time I stood by myself while my friend used a Google Pixel 9 to add me? I won’t remember how it felt standing in the back, with my arms around people, that’s for sure, because I’ll be alone.
Here’s a photo of me and a celebrity I didn’t meet
Google’s own example for Add Me is even worse. You can take a photo of your friend with a celebrity, Google suggests, then add yourself later. On stage at the Made By Google event, Google used Add Me with Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler. One presenter stood next to Jimmy Buckets, while the other took a photo. Then, the photographer used Add Me to add himself to the pic.
Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat on stage at Made By Google 2024 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
We all know how this feature will really be used. I’ll see Chris Rock crossing the street in Manhattan and I’ll take a photo with Add Me. Then, I’ll add myself to the photo, making it look like Chris Rock and I were crossing the street together.
Sorry, Chris Rock, I’m only using you as an example because I really DID see you crossing the street one time, and I did NOT take a photo and try to add myself later. That would have been sad. And what would I say when I showed people that photo?
“Here’s me and Chris Rock!”
“Oh, did you meet Chris Rock?”
“No, but I took a photo and then added myself later using Google’s Add Me!” See?
Sad.
I used to call these AI features creepy, but now I’ve realized that more than anything they make me feel sad.
After I send 100 thank-you emails, written entirely by Gemini AI, will I feel satisfied? Will I feel like I’ve thanked anybody?
Then, what happens the next time I receive a thank-you… (ugh) a thank-you email? Will it have the same impact? If I think it was written by AI, could it have any impact at all?
An AI can write a note, but it will not be a thank-you. Google’s AI can add you to a group photo, but it will not make you feel like part of the group. These AI tools will not do what their makers claim they will do, because they claim to help us with our human needs, but – and I’m going to say it again – there is no humanity in AI.
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Google’s AI will help people be more productive, but the productivity it offers replaces important human experience.
The Amazon Marketplace: Empowering Sellers and Shaping Consumer Behavior
The Amazon Marketplace has emerged as a powerful force in the global economy, redefining how businesses operate and how consumers shop. Since its launch in 2000, Amazon Marketplace has grown into one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, with millions of sellers and an even larger base of customers. This platform has not only democratized e-commerce, providing opportunities for businesses of all sizes, but it has also significantly influenced consumer behavior. This article explores how the Amazon Marketplace empowers sellers and shapes consumer behavior.
Empowering Sellers: Opportunities and Challenges
The Amazon Marketplace has opened up unprecedented opportunities for sellers, from individual entrepreneurs to large corporations. One of the most significant benefits for sellers is the access to Amazon’s vast customer base. With over 300 million active users globally, Amazon provides a ready-made audience for sellers, eliminating the need for extensive marketing efforts to drive traffic to their products.
Lower Barriers to Entry
One of the most profound ways Amazon empowers sellers is by lowering the barriers to entry into the e-commerce space. Traditionally, setting up an online store required significant investment in website development, payment processing systems, and logistics. Amazon Marketplace simplifies this process by providing a platform where sellers can list their products, handle transactions, and even manage shipping through Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service.
FBA, in particular, has been a game-changer for many small and medium-sized businesses. It allows sellers to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses, where Amazon takes care of packing, shipping, and even customer service. This service not only reduces the logistical burden on sellers but also ensures that their products are eligible for Amazon Prime, which can significantly boost sales.
Global Reach
The global reach of Amazon Marketplace is another significant advantage for sellers. With Amazon’s presence in numerous countries, sellers can tap into international markets with relative ease. Amazon’s Global Selling program enables sellers to list their products in multiple countries, allowing them to expand their customer base far beyond their home market. This global reach is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have the resources to enter international markets independently.
Data and Analytics
Amazon provides sellers with valuable data and analytics tools that can help them optimize their listings and marketing strategies. Through the Seller Central dashboard, sellers have access to detailed reports on sales, customer behavior, and advertising performance. This data-driven approach allows sellers to make informed decisions about pricing, inventory management, and advertising, ultimately leading to better business outcomes.
Challenges for Sellers
However, selling on Amazon is not without its challenges. The competition on the platform is fierce, with millions of sellers vying for the attention of customers. To stand out, sellers must invest in optimizing their product listings, managing reviews, and running targeted advertising campaigns. Additionally, Amazon’s fee structure, which includes referral fees, FBA fees, and other charges, can eat into sellers’ profit margins, especially for those selling low-margin products.
Moreover, Amazon’s control over the marketplace means that sellers are subject to its policies and regulations. This can be a double-edged sword; while Amazon’s strict guidelines help maintain a level of quality and trust on the platform, they can also be restrictive for sellers. Policy changes, such as adjustments to fee structures or new regulations regarding product listings, can have a significant impact on sellers’ businesses.
Shaping Consumer Behavior: Convenience and Choice
The Amazon Marketplace has not only empowered sellers but also transformed consumer behavior in profound ways. The platform has become synonymous with convenience, choice, and competitive pricing, which are key drivers of consumer decisions.
Convenience and Speed
One of the most significant impacts of Amazon on consumer behavior is the expectation of convenience and speed. Amazon’s streamlined shopping experience, coupled with services like Amazon Prime, has set a new standard for online shopping. Consumers now expect fast, often same-day, delivery, easy returns, and a seamless shopping experience across devices. This has raised the bar for other e-commerce platforms and even brick-and-mortar stores, which have had to adapt to meet these heightened expectations.
The convenience offered by Amazon extends beyond just delivery speed. Features like one-click purchasing, personalized recommendations, and a user-friendly mobile app have made shopping on Amazon almost effortless. This ease of use has contributed to the platform becoming the go-to destination for many consumers, particularly for everyday purchases.
Broad Product Selection
Amazon’s vast selection of products is another factor that has shaped consumer behavior. The marketplace offers a seemingly endless array of products across virtually every category, from electronics to groceries. This extensive selection is possible because of the millions of third-party sellers who list their products on the platform, alongside Amazon’s own offerings.
This breadth of choice has shifted consumer expectations, leading to a preference for platforms that offer a wide variety of options. Consumers are now less willing to visit multiple websites or stores to find what they need, preferring the convenience of one-stop shopping. This trend has also put pressure on traditional retailers to expand their product offerings and improve their online shopping experiences.
Price Sensitivity and Competitive Pricing
Amazon’s pricing strategies have also influenced consumer behavior, making customers more price-sensitive. The platform’s dynamic pricing model, where prices can change frequently based on factors like demand and competition, encourages consumers to compare prices and seek out the best deals. Additionally, features like Amazon’s price tracking tools and the ability to view historical prices have made consumers more aware of price fluctuations and more likely to wait for discounts before making a purchase.
This increased price sensitivity has impacted the broader retail landscape, forcing competitors to adopt more aggressive pricing strategies to stay competitive. It has also led to the rise of price comparison tools and apps, further empowering consumers to find the best deals.
The Role of Reviews and Ratings
Amazon’s review system is another key factor influencing consumer behavior. Customer reviews and ratings have become a critical component of the decision-making process for many shoppers. Positive reviews can significantly boost a product’s visibility and sales, while negative reviews can deter potential buyers. This has led to a culture where consumers rely heavily on the experiences of others to guide their purchasing decisions.
The importance of reviews has also created a new challenge for sellers, who must actively manage their reputation on the platform. This has given rise to practices like review solicitation and even, unfortunately, fake reviews. However, Amazon has taken steps to combat these practices, implementing stricter policies and algorithms to detect and remove fraudulent reviews.
Conclusion
The Amazon Marketplace has had a profound impact on both sellers and consumers, reshaping the e-commerce landscape in the process. By empowering sellers with access to a global customer base, powerful data tools, and logistical support, Amazon has lowered the barriers to entry for businesses of all sizes. At the same time, the platform has transformed consumer behavior, setting new standards for convenience, choice, and pricing.
As Amazon continues to evolve, its influence on the global economy and consumer culture will likely only grow. For sellers, the challenge will be to navigate the complexities of the platform and find ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. For consumers, the Amazon Marketplace will continue to be a driving force behind the expectations and behaviors that define the future of shopping.
