You might think bragging about AI in your product descriptions is a smart move, right? Well, a new study says you might want to think twice! Let’s break down why mentioning AI could actually hurt your sales.
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The Big Discovery
Researchers from Washington State University found something pretty eye-opening. When they told people a product used AI, those folks were less likely to want to buy it. This happened across all sorts of products, from TVs to medical devices.
By the Numbers:
- Over 1,000 U.S. adults took part in the study.
- AI-labeled products consistently underperformed in tests.
- The effect was seen across 8 different product categories.
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Why Are People Wary?
It turns out that mentioning AI makes people feel less emotionally connected to a product. They’re not quite sure they can trust it. This gets even worse for “high-risk” items—you know, the expensive stuff or things where it really matters if they work right.
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What This Means for Marketers
If you’re in marketing, you might want to rethink how you talk about AI. The study’s lead author, Mesut Cicek, suggests focusing on what the product does, not the tech behind it. “Skip the AI buzzwords,” he warns, especially for those high-risk products.
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Looking Ahead
As AI becomes a bigger part of our lives, businesses need to figure out how to talk about it without scaring customers away. It’s a tricky balance between being honest and making people feel comfortable.
Remember, while AI can do some amazing things, sometimes it’s better to let your product’s features speak for themselves!
