Key facts
- Ask Target is a beta AI-powered chatbot.
- The chatbot aims to assist with holiday shopping and general Target inquiries.
- Rivals like Amazon, Walmart, and Lowe's already offer similar AI features.
Target shoppers now have an AI-powered shopping assistant to help with holiday gift lists. The retailer launched a beta version of its chatbot, named Ask Target, in time for the busy holiday sales period. This move brings Target in line with competitors such as Amazon, Walmart, and Lowe's, which have already implemented similar AI features.
Cara Sylvester, Target's chief merchandising officer, stated that the company has seen significant traction with conversational AI and aimed to leverage this during the peak season. The Ask Target assistant is designed to answer a range of Target-related questions, not exclusively holiday-specific ones. The company had an internal rollout to prepare store employees for new merchandise, including items in the Beauty Studio department.