AI and VR in Marketing: Expanding Horizons

The digital landscape is constantly changing and evolving, leading businesses to experiment with new ways to engage with their customers and to stay ahead of competition. Two examples of this are Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality, which both offer exciting possibilities and experimentation for businesses, but are used differently. In this blog, we will discover the different ways these tools are used in marketing.

Artificial Intelligence

AI can be used for marketing in a variety of different ways including data analysis, content generation, and personal assistants.

Data Analysis: 

  • Using AI can help campaigners handle large amounts of data, making it more accessible to analyze insights regarding data on consumers, sales, and social media engagement.
  • AI can even help with A/B testing as algorithms can automatically detect which variation is the most effective, allowing marketing campaigns to readjust quickly. 
  • AI can help marketers optimize their budget. It can spot weak links in ad strategies and help them shift their money to higher performing areas. This way, they get more for their money.

Content Generation:

  • AI can create personalized content like product descriptions, email subject lines, and social media posts that are all based on customer data and preferences.
  • It can suggest marketing campaigns and approaches by looking at trending subjects or what customers like. 
  • AI can also help monitor and update data. It identifies outdated content and recommends updates or removal, ensuring that marketing materials stay fresh.

Personal Assistants 

  • AI personal assistants can provide instant responses to customer questions via chatbots or voice assistants, improving customer support and engagement.
  • They can answer product-related questions and provide personalized product recommendations.
  • Chatboxes can even gather information from potential customers and determine the level of interest and fit for products or services.

Virtual Reality 

VR can be used in marketing in a multitude of ways including product demonstrations and displays, virtual advertisements and sponsorships, along with product testing and simulation.

Product Demonstrations and Displays:

  • With VR, marketers can create virtual showrooms, where customers can explore and interact with products before making a purchase. 
  • Virtual product showcases can save costs like travel and labor, which helps businesses that need to present products at trade shows or expos.
  • It also allows users to interact with virtual objects and environments, which can enhance their overall understanding and experience.

Virtual Advertisements and Sponsorships:

  • Brands can sponsor VR content, and integrate their products or branding into the virtual environment, which can reach consumers and promote products.
  • VR is even being used for virtual events and conferences, and brands can sponsor or participate in these events to reach a targeted audience. 
  • VR enables brands to tell their story in a more compelling and immersive way. This can create a deeper emotional connection with consumers.

Product Testing and Simulation:

  • VR can be used to create virtual prototypes of products, allowing marketers to test a product before production begins. This can save time and resources by identifying issues early in the process.
  • It can create realistic product and training demos, allowing marketers to showcase their product in an interactive way.
  • With VR, it is possible to simulate and test the user experience of a product. For example, consumers can evaluate the ease or difficulty of using a product

Here are some cool marketing campaigns using AI and VR:

By Virginia Swain
Virginia Swain Peer Career Fellow: Marketing, Sales and Communications