AI商务初创公司Onton获得750万美元融资，挑战零售巨头

Core Insights - The article highlights the rapid development of AI-driven commerce, particularly in the retail sector, with Walmart achieving over $100 billion in annualized gross merchandise volume due to AI enhancements [2] - The focus is shifting from whether AI will reshape retail to what the next interface will look like, as traditional giants like Walmart and Costco modernize their digital marketplaces [2][5] Group 1: Walmart and Costco's AI Integration - Walmart's AI systems are integrated into its fulfillment engine and customer experience, leading to a nearly 50% increase in in-store fulfillment of e-commerce orders, with one-third completed within three hours [5] - The demand for expedited delivery has surged by 70%, now covering 95% of U.S. households, indicating a shift in consumer expectations towards speed, accuracy, and personalization [5] - Costco has also adopted AI, saving approximately $100 million through early AI trials in baking forecasts and launching an AI-driven curation layer for travel services, enhancing the search experience for members [5][7] Group 2: Onton's Innovative Approach - Onton, an AI commerce startup, aims to be the starting point for e-commerce decisions, addressing the fragmented shopping experience by integrating various platforms into a cohesive process [6] - The platform utilizes a neural-symbolic engine to infer missing attributes and validate details, reducing the decision-making time for consumers who currently switch between retailers and chatbots [6][7] - Onton's new Canvas feature allows users to upload images to define their search "mood," emphasizing that e-commerce is a visual and emotional decision-making process rather than purely conversational [4][6]