Latest news with #AngeloZino
Fashion United
a day ago
- Business
- Fashion United
AI personal shoppers hunt down bargain buys
Internet giants are diving deeper into e-commerce with digital aides that know shoppers' likes, let them virtually try clothes on, hunt for deals and even place orders. The rise of virtual personal shoppers springs from generative artificial intelligence (AI) being put to work in "agents" specializing in specific tasks and given autonomy to complete them independently. "This is basically the next evolution of shopping experiences," said CFRA Research analyst Angelo Zino. Google last week unveiled shopping features built into a new "AI Mode". It can take a person's own photo and meld it with that of a skirt, shirt or other piece of clothing spotted online, showing how it will look on them. The AI adjusts the clothing size to fit, accounting for how fabrics drape, according to Google head of advertising and commerce Vidhya Srinivasan. Shoppers can then set the price they would pay and leave the AI to relentlessly browse the internet for a deal -- alerting the shopper when it finds one, and asking if it should buy using Google's payment platform. "They're taking on Amazon a little bit," Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart said of Google. The tool is also a way to make money from AI by increasing online traffic and opportunities to show ads, Greengart added. The Silicon Valley tech titan did not respond to a query regarding whether it is sharing in revenue from shopping transactions. Bartering bots? OpenAI added a shopping feature to ChatGPT earlier this year, enabling the chatbot to respond to requests with product suggestions, consumer reviews and links to merchant websites. Perplexity AI late last year began letting subscribers pay for online purchases without leaving its app. Amazon in April added a "Buy for Me" mode to its Rufus digital assistant, allowing users to command it to make purchases at retailer websites off Amazon's platform. Walmart head of technology Hari Vasudev recently spoke about adding an AI agent to the retail behemoth's online shopping portal, while also working with partners to make sure their digital agents keep Walmart products in mind. Global payment networks Visa and Mastercard in April each said their technical systems were modernized to allow payment transactions by digital agents. "As AI agents start to take over the bulk of product discovery and the decision-making process, retailers must consider how to optimize for this new layer of AI shoppers," said Elise Watson of Clarkston Consulting. Retailers are likely to be left groping in the dark when it comes to what makes a product attractive to AI agents, according to Watson. Knowing the customer Analyst Zino does not expect AI shoppers to cause an e-commerce industry upheaval, but he does see the technology benenfitting Google and Meta. Not only do the Internet rivals have massive amounts of data about their users, but they are also among frontrunners in the AI race. "They probably have more information on the consumer than anyone else out there," Zino said of Google and Meta. Tech company access to data about users hits the hot-button issue of online privacy and who should control personal information. Google plans to refine consumer profiles based on what people search for and promises that shoppers will need to authorize access to additional information such as email or app use. Trusting a chatbot with one's buying decisions may spook some people, and while the technology might be in place the legal and ethical framework for it is not. "The agent economy is here," said PSE Consulting managing director Chris Jones. "The next phase of e-commerce will depend on whether we can trust machines to buy on our behalf."(AFP)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Salesforce makes a big bet on booming tech market
Salesforce makes a big bet on booming tech market originally appeared on TheStreet. Salesforce () is still recovering from a difficult start to the year, but the former software leader just gave investors a reason not to count it out yet. The company rose to market prominence as a leader in the software-as-a-service space, helping define customer relations management (CRM) in the modern office. As the industry has shifted toward artificial intelligence (AI), though, Salesforce has struggled to integrate the revolutionary new technology into its software platforms. 💵💰💰💵 Despite its high exposure to the booming market, Salesforce stock has struggled over the past two quarters and is currently down more than 16% for the six-month period. The company recently reported strong earnings for Q1, issuing an optimistic forecast, but even this news failed to boost shares. However, Salesforce recently announced an important agreement it just inked. This deal has important implications for the company's growth plans. Salesforce stock has trended downward over the past few months, and some investors have wondered why. Some experts have speculated that CRM stock may be a victim of both poor timing and high expectations, specifically regarding November 2024, an investor's guide from Fortune described application software, referring to platforms designed for users to perform specific tasks, as a sector that hadn't quite realized the benefits of AI integrations. Vice President Angelo Zino, with market intelligence firm CFRA Research, noted that he saw Salesforce as a likely winner of the Agentic AI boom. He isn't the only one who believed Salesforce had the potential to capitalize on the rise of Agentic AI, which allows AI systems to perform tasks with little human intervention. The company recently announced that it has entered into a tentative agreement to acquire software development company Informatica in an $8 billion all-cash deal. While its name might not be widely known, Informatica is considered a leader in the enterprise cloud data management space and is known for its integrated data solutions. Wedbush Securities technology analyst Daniel Ives describes it as a 'gold mine of data,' highlighting the implications this deal could have. 'Salesforce is acquiring data, [Informatica's] customer base, and the ability to cross-sell. And in the AI revolution, data is king,' he states. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, believes this acquisition will help redefine the industry, creating a force within the booming market. In a statement released by his company, he revealed that he sees it creating 'the most complete, agent-ready data platform in the industry.' More AI News: Billionaire fund manager, skeptical of AI, backs shocking stock Microsoft has good news for Elon Musk, bad news for Sam Altman Major AI CEO sounds alarm on jobless 'bloodbath' in near-term Experts such as Baird Managing Director Ted Mortonson have speculated that Salesforce likely didn't have the data necessary to deliver on Benioff's agentic AI vision. But now that it will be adding Informatica's vast data resources, it will likely have an easier time expanding into this area, at least as some experts see it. This deal comes at a highly pivotal time for Salesforce, as many other companies are doubling down on agentic AI. Other leaders in the tech space, such as Google Deepmind, OpenAI, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft, are all looking to cash in on the new phase of AI, and some have made notable also notes that simply having extensive data isn't the only key to success. He also stresses the importance of delivering personalized insights to customers in useful and efficient ways. However, the analyst says, 'This acquisition is highly complementary in terms of having a data provider and then having more [than] the company that manages this data.' Salesforce stock may continue to lag in the short term, as the company maneuvers to catch up with its competitors and establish itself as a key player in the field of agentic AI. But experts seem steadfast in their conviction that this acquisition will help the company accomplish this goal. In recent years, Benioff has been criticized for his aggressive M&A strategy, which has led to Salesforce acquiring 70 companies since 2006. Now, however, it may be the thing that helps his company remain competitive in a fast-growing makes a big bet on booming tech market first appeared on TheStreet on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Marvell forecasts second-quarter revenue above estimates on strong demand for custom AI chips
Marvell Technology forecast second-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, betting on strong demand for its custom chips powering artificial intelligence workloads in data centers. Demand for custom AI chips continues to fuel growth, while networking chips and electro-optics have also seen robust order momentum. These advancements help hyperscalers seeking to scale their infrastructure to support AI workloads. Marvell said in its post-earnings call that it expects AI tailwinds to remain strong, driven by robust hyperscaler spending, new sovereign data center projects, and the expansion of emerging market players expanding the market, opening up growth opportunities. Revenue from Marvell's data center segment, which accounts for 76 per cent of the company's total revenue, stood at $1.44 billion in the first quarter. The company's carrier and enterprise networking segments have also gradually recovered following a period of inventory correction. "We believe the custom silicon business will be the primary growth driver over the next 3-5 years, contributing positively to operating profits despite lower gross margins," said Angelo Zino, analyst at CFRA Research. Zino added that the upcoming custom silicon webinar on June 17 could serve as a catalyst by potentially showcasing TAM expansion opportunities and new customer wins in CY26. However, the consumer end market remained weak for the company, with revenue falling 29 per cent sequentially to $63.1 million due to seasonality in gaming demand. The industrial segment also struggled, reporting a 12 per cent sequential decline in revenue. Shares of the company fell about 2 per cent in extended trading. The company expects second-quarter revenue to be $2 billion, plus or minus 5 per cent compared with analysts' average estimate of $1.98 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. In May, Marvell said it was postponing its previously scheduled investor day conference due to a "dynamic macroeconomic environment." It reported revenue of $1.9 billion for the quarter ended May 3, compared to analysts' average estimate of $1.88 billion.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Salesforce makes a big bet on booming tech market
Salesforce (CRM) is still recovering from a difficult start to the year, but the former software leader just gave investors a reason not to count it out yet. The company rose to market prominence as a leader in the software-as-a-service space, helping define customer relations management (CRM) in the modern office. As the industry has shifted toward artificial intelligence (AI), though, Salesforce has struggled to integrate the revolutionary new technology into its software platforms. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Despite its high exposure to the booming market, Salesforce stock has struggled over the past two quarters and is currently down more than 16% for the six-month period. The company recently reported strong earnings for Q1, issuing an optimistic forecast, but even this news failed to boost shares. However, Salesforce recently announced an important agreement it just inked. This deal has important implications for the company's growth plans. Salesforce stock has trended downward over the past few months, and some investors have wondered why. Some experts have speculated that CRM stock may be a victim of both poor timing and high expectations, specifically regarding AI. Related: OpenAI teams up with legendary Apple exec In November 2024, an investor's guide from Fortune described application software, referring to platforms designed for users to perform specific tasks, as a sector that hadn't quite realized the benefits of AI integrations. Vice President Angelo Zino, with market intelligence firm CFRA Research, noted that he saw Salesforce as a likely winner of the Agentic AI boom. He isn't the only one who believed Salesforce had the potential to capitalize on the rise of Agentic AI, which allows AI systems to perform tasks with little human intervention. The company recently announced that it has entered into a tentative agreement to acquire software development company Informatica in an $8 billion all-cash deal. While its name might not be widely known, Informatica is considered a leader in the enterprise cloud data management space and is known for its integrated data solutions. Wedbush Securities technology analyst Daniel Ives describes it as a "gold mine of data," highlighting the implications this deal could have. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, believes this acquisition will help redefine the industry, creating a force within the booming market. In a statement released by his company, he revealed that he sees it creating "the most complete, agent-ready data platform in the industry." More AI News: Billionaire fund manager, skeptical of AI, backs shocking stockMicrosoft has good news for Elon Musk, bad news for Sam AltmanMajor AI CEO sounds alarm on jobless 'bloodbath' in near-term Experts such as Baird Managing Director Ted Mortonson have speculated that Salesforce likely didn't have the data necessary to deliver on Benioff's agentic AI vision. But now that it will be adding Informatica's vast data resources, it will likely have an easier time expanding into this area, at least as some experts see it. This deal comes at a highly pivotal time for Salesforce, as many other companies are doubling down on agentic AI. Other leaders in the tech space, such as Google Deepmind, OpenAI, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft, are all looking to cash in on the new phase of AI, and some have made notable advances. Related: One AI stock makes up 78% of Nvidia's investment portfolio Zino also notes that simply having extensive data isn't the only key to success. He also stresses the importance of delivering personalized insights to customers in useful and efficient ways. However, the analyst says, "This acquisition is highly complementary in terms of having a data provider and then having more [than] the company that manages this data." Salesforce stock may continue to lag in the short term, as the company maneuvers to catch up with its competitors and establish itself as a key player in the field of agentic AI. But experts seem steadfast in their conviction that this acquisition will help the company accomplish this goal. In recent years, Benioff has been criticized for his aggressive M&A strategy, which has led to Salesforce acquiring 70 companies since 2006. Now, however, it may be the thing that helps his company remain competitive in a fast-growing market. Related: Palantir gets great news from the Pentagon The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
eNCA
2 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
AI personal shoppers hunt down bargain buys
SAN FRANCISCO - Internet giants are diving deeper into e-commerce with digital aides that know shoppers' likes, let them virtually try clothes on, hunt for deals and even place orders. The rise of virtual personal shoppers springs from generative artificial intelligence (AI) being put to work in "agents" specialising in specific tasks and given autonomy to complete them independently. "This is basically the next evolution of shopping experiences," said CFRA Research analyst Angelo Zino. Google last week unveiled shopping features built into a new "AI Mode". It can take a person's own photo and meld it with that of a skirt, shirt or other piece of clothing spotted online, showing how it will look on them. The AI adjusts the clothing size to fit, accounting for how fabrics drape, according to Google head of advertising and commerce Vidhya Srinivasan. Shoppers can then set the price they would pay and leave the AI to relentlessly browse the internet for a deal -- alerting the shopper when it finds one, and asking if it should buy using Google's payment platform. "They're taking on Amazon a little bit," Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart said of Google. The tool is also a way to make money from AI by increasing online traffic and opportunities to show ads, Greengart added. The Silicon Valley tech titan did not respond to a query regarding whether it is sharing in revenue from shopping transactions. - Bartering bots? - OpenAI added a shopping feature to ChatGPT earlier this year, enabling the chatbot to respond to requests with product suggestions, consumer reviews and links to merchant websites. Perplexity AI late last year began letting subscribers pay for online purchases without leaving its app. Amazon in April added a "Buy for Me" mode to its Rufus digital assistant, allowing users to command it to make purchases at retailer websites off Amazon's platform. Walmart head of technology Hari Vasudev recently spoke about adding an AI agent to the retail behemoth's online shopping portal, while also working with partners to make sure their digital agents keep Walmart products in mind. Global payment networks Visa and Mastercard in April each said their technical systems were modernised to allow payment transactions by digital agents. "As AI agents start to take over the bulk of product discovery and the decision-making process, retailers must consider how to optimise for this new layer of AI shoppers," said Elise Watson of Clarkston Consulting. Retailers are likely to be left groping in the dark when it comes to what makes a product attractive to AI agents, according to Watson. - Knowing the customer - Analyst Zino does not expect AI shoppers to cause an e-commerce industry upheaval, but he does see the technology benefiting Google and Meta. Not only do the Internet rivals have massive amounts of data about their users, but they are also among frontrunners in the AI race. "They probably have more information on the consumer than anyone else out there," Zino said of Google and Meta. Tech company access to data about users hits the hot-button issue of online privacy and who should control personal information. Google plans to refine consumer profiles based on what people search for and promises that shoppers will need to authorise access to additional information such as email or app use. Trusting a chatbot with one's buying decisions may spook some people, and while the technology might be in place the legal and ethical framework for it is not. "The agent economy is here," said PSE Consulting managing director Chris Jones. "The next phase of e-commerce will depend on whether we can trust machines to buy on our behalf." by Thomas Urbain
