An Adyen’s latest survey has found AI is helping to drive a higher level of digital shopping at all age brackets. The research, which surveyed 28 countries, shows consumers are more than willing to turn to AI-powered systems to optimise their shopping experiences, from browsing products through to the point of purchase.
The study emphasizes the significant rise in AI adoption among readers from an older demographic. The survey shows Baby Boomers (age 60-78) and Generation X (age 44-59) reported the largest year-over-year jump in AI shopping adoption, at 60% and 58%, respectively.
This indicates there has been a bridging of the digital divide among these sectors of society as they began to experience the ease and customization provided by AI-based shopping systems.
Younger generations, including Gen Z (16-27) and Millennials (28-43), continue to be the most frequent users overall, at 57% and 49%, respectively, but significant growth among older consumers demonstrates the widespread acceptance of AI as a shopping tool.
A total of 37% of consumers claimed to be currently using AI to help them buy and 55% said they would be interested in using it to make shopping decisions in the future.
The report also looks at how shoppers are using AI in their purchasing process. A whopping 58% said that they get inspired when it comes to buying outfits, meals, and more by using AI.
And 8 percent said they get their best new product ideas from AI, while 56 percent are excited at the prospect of identifying new brands via artificial intelligence.
On the retail front, the survey suggests that companies realize the sea-change potential of AI. When asked to choose between AI and related technologies to help with selling and marketing, 32% of retailers said they would deploy that tech to grow revenue in 2025, while 30% said they would allocate that cash to new products using AI.
“Consumers are adopting AI-driven apps at an unmatched pace as they realize how this tech is revolutionizing the shopping experience,” Roelant Prins, CCO at Adyen, said in remarks commenting on the findings. We are almost certainly on the cusp of an era when AI will become our personal stylist, deciding what to wear based on our unique tastes and preferences.
We were particularly intrigued to see the demographic breakdowns from our own research, especially to see how older consumers are implementing AI into their shopping habits.
Holly Worst, VP Retail at Adyen, also commented: “AI is now no longer considered a future bet – it’s a current necessity for both retailers and consumers.
Reveling in AI like this can help retailers to provide an unparalleled customer experience which is why it’s obvious to see how AI has claimed the crown as the most-mentioned growth enabler for 2025.”
The Adyen study highlights how AI is becoming ever more influential in determining the future of retail, providing tailored and efficient shopping to consumers of all ages.
With the development of AI technology, this application is believed to become even deeper in the shopping journey and online and offline sales boundary will disappear.
