Ozon creates an AI assistant for personalized product search

One of the largest Russian marketplaces, Ozon, announced plans to create an intelligent assistant based on the large language model (LLM) to help users search for and select products. This solution is aimed at strengthening the company's competitive position in the context of the rapid development of AI technologies in e-commerce.

In preparation for the launch of the new functionality, Ozon has placed a vacancy for the head of the Data Science group, whose tasks will include the design and implementation of an AI assistant. The job description indicates that the key task will be to develop an LLM-based interaction system that can solve practical tasks for platform clients-from clarifying user requests to offering relevant products and accompanying the buyer at the selection stage.

The company's press service confirmed that the possibility of launching the assistant is in the active phase of development. Ozon already uses machine learning and neural network technologies in a number of internal services and considers the development of the AI direction to be strategically important. Specific release dates for the new tool have not yet been announced.

The launch of an AI assistant can be a response to the actions of competitors in the e-commerce sector. In April, a similar solution was presented by another Russian marketplace, and in June, another major platform began testing its own chatbot inside the mobile app. In addition, an assistant is under development based on a proprietary language model, adapted to the format of online classifieds.

Creating smart assistants is becoming part of a new wave of personalization in online trading. Such solutions not only reduce the time required to choose a product, but also increase user engagement through a natural dialog and adaptation to individual preferences. In a saturated market where thousands of positions compete for customer attention, AI tools allow marketplaces to simplify navigation, increase conversions, and offer customers a more relevant experience.

At the global level, the integration of generative artificial intelligence in e-commerce demonstrates the transition from traditional search filters to user interaction in a dialog format. Ozon, having a well-developed technological base, can use the current stage as an opportunity to consolidate leadership in the field of AI solutions within the regional market.