EXCLUSIVE: The shopping experience at Tesco could be a very different one in just 25 years time, as artificial intelligence has come up with some wild and radical ideas for Brits to contend with
Supermarket shopping could be a very different experience in just 25 years time(Image: GROK)
Virtual reality shopping, sustainable everything and holographic supermarket logos – UK supermarkets could be looking very different in just a few years time. Earlier this week, the Daily Star mused alongside artificial intelligence what the future of Tesco’s meal deals holds.
And now, going one step further, we’ve jumped into the year 2050 to find out how Brits’ supermarket shopping experience could change.
Chatting to Google’s AI-powered large language model called Gemini – and then turning to Elon Musk’s AI-powered Grok to depict it – it turns out that shopping in just 25 could be like something out of the infamous Cyberpunk 2077 video game.
This isn’t horrifying at all(Image: GROK)
Supermarkets – specifically Tesco in this instance – will be focussing on four main aspects: Sustainability, tech-driven experiences, community hubs and health food.
And while most of the advancements in supermarket shopping are pretty obvious, such as reduced packaging and recycling, Gemini’s ideas for VR shopping piqued the Daily Star’s interest.
Explaining how it all works, Gemini explained: “You don a VR headset and find yourself in a beautifully rendered virtual Tesco. The environment is highly realistic, with ambient sounds like the gentle hum of refrigeration units and the chatter of other (virtual) shoppers.
Nothing is real, everything is VR(Image: GROK)
“Your VR experience is tailored to you. Based on your past purchases and preferences, the virtual store could prioritize your favourite aisles and highlight products you might enjoy.
“You can ‘reach out’ and ‘pick up’ products. The VR system could provide detailed information like nutritional values, ingredients, and even customer reviews. You might be able to virtually ‘taste’ or ‘smell’ some items.”
You can shop from your couch, but you’ll feel like you’re there(Image: GROK)
Gemini went on to talk about a virtual version of the Try Before You Buy feature currently used by Amazon, which would involve virtually trying on clothes, seeing how furniture would look in your virtual living room, or even experiencing the aroma of different coffees.
When asked to expand on how the VR experience would work when it comes to perishable food items, Gemini was more than happy to explain – take note Tesco bosses.
The future is rather depressing to look at(Image: GROK)
“VR could simulate the experience of eating,” it mused “You’d see the food, hear the sounds of chewing and swallowing, and even feel the texture in your mouth (though not the taste itself). This could be combined with 360-degree videos of people enjoying the food.
“Imagine a device that releases subtle, realistic food aromas when you ‘interact’ with virtual food items. : Based on your past food preferences, dietary restrictions, and even genetic information, AI could predict how you’d likely perceive the taste of a new dish.
“The technology would need to be incredibly accurate in simulating the sensory experience of food, however.”
So, would you be up for trying this new way of shopping? Well, it could be coming to you in just 25 years time… which really isn’t that long to wait.
Daily Star has approached Tesco for comment.
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